A live kitten, however, is a pretty impressive addition to the collection.
Most parents expect to come home from a school Halloween event with a bag of candy, a few decorations, and a child who's had way too much sugar. Bringing home an entirely new family member probably wasn't on the schedule. But when a kid spots an adorable kitten who needs a home, good luck convincing them to walk away.
We have to admire the confidence of children who decide they're getting a pet without consulting anyone. They don't worry about litter boxes, vet appointments, or introducing a new animal to the family cat. They see a tiny furball, fall in love, and figure the grown-ups can handle the paperwork.
One parent recently experienced exactly this situation while helping out at their fifth grader's elementary school trunk-or-treat event. They were busy running a trunk when their son discovered a nearby house giving away kittens. Rather than asking permission, he simply picked one out and brought her over.
His parent was understandably stunned. It had started raining, though, and they couldn't bring themselves to return the little kitten to the house. They already had a seven-year-old cat at home, so caring for a feline wasn't completely unfamiliar territory.
The kitten appeared to be around five weeks old, much younger than the age kittens should normally leave their mothers. Her new caretaker knew she needed extra attention and immediately made a trip to PetSmart for supplies.
They bought kitten food, kitten milk replacer, a litter box, bedding, and other essentials before setting her up in a separate bathroom away from the resident cat. The little one was dirty and had fleas, so they carefully cleaned her with a warm washcloth and flea comb while arranging a vet visit for the following morning.
Although the family hasn't decided whether they'll keep her permanently, they're determined to give her the care she needs. Her unexpected arrival has certainly made this Halloween a memorable one.
That fifth grader might have gone looking for candy, but he came home with something considerably sweeter.