Michael and Fran Percival auctioned off their home on Saturday, but the winning bid was surpassed by a family whose child had fallen in love with the cat while looking around the property.
These bidders upped their offer to A$2.2m, on the condition that the cat was included
The family has come under fire for selling a beloved family pet, particularly as she belonged to the Percival’s 19-year-old son, Sam.
Ms Percival told the Herald Sun: “She was at the pet shop, the last of the litter, and he felt sorry for her.”
In a Herald Sun survey, 72% of readers said they would not sell a family pet regardless of the offer, with some angry at the treatment of pets as a commodity rather than as part of the family.
However, others pointed out that cats are territorial and often struggle with a change in location.
The family themselves said they were already worried that Tiffany would try to find her way ‘home’ after the move, and Mr Percival joked that she “believes the house is her property.”
Either way, the Percival’s decision was not made lightly, with Ms Percival saying: “It is quite difficult to part with her.”
Tiffany herself declined to comment.
