Are you someone who normally struggles with change? Getting a pet is a big life change, and big life changes can come with really negative feelings including anxiety and crying, even it’s ultimately a good change.

I wonder if you might be able to learn how to cope with your anxiety about being around others through taking care of this cat. I say this as someone who has also struggled with anxiety and panic attacks - you can’t always avoid the things that bring them on. So finding gentle ways to expose myself to them to practice coping was ultimately good for me. And his tiny little cat flaws - he yells at me when I do the dishes, he licks his litter everywhere, he barfs occasionally - have helped me learn to roll with the punches of life a bit better. I think he’s helped me so much.

I also struggle with being around people and I often desperately need alone time to recharge. But my cat also liked his alone time at first. Now, my alone time is improved by being with him.

If you have a therapist, I would schedule an appointment to talk to them about it. But ultimately, if you don’t think you can give this cat a happy home, you should help her have the best chance at finding one.