how do you know they weren't tho? do they need to detail how they cried for weeks afterward or whatever? op said they gave the cat to a friend so i'm assuming that means they probably get to go visit it and still have contact with it on a regular basis. that would make it a lot less devastating than just dropping it off at a shelter or a rescue. it would be like leaving your pet at home with your parents when you go to college or move out, which is something a lot of people do without being horribly upset over.