My husband hates my cat, kinda long but need some insight...?

Ive been married for almost 2 years and just had a baby. I had a hard time during my pregnancy and brought it to my husbands attention that I knew someone giving away a 5 wk old calico kitten. He sounded really excited and told me he wanted to get her that day, YAY! He seemed to enjoy her for a few months (tops) and now despises her. He tells me every day to get rid of her. I am not a person who believes in getting an animal, loving and caring for them and then getting rid of them for no reason. He's being childish, like hes done playing with the cat so get rid of it. She's not a toy and I love her. I told him I would find her another home if she did something legitimately bad like hurt the baby or something, not climb in things, occasionally strough litter from the box, and get on counter tops (all which I discourage). He has no reason not to like her other than she isn't a dog... He will discipline her like a dog (spanking and popping on the nose) and I hate it! I tell him not to do that, cats just don't learn that way! What should I do? I do not want to give up on my cat, she is like my other child.