Question
I gave my dog to a shelter in Ohio because I thought he was acting up while I was at work. I talked to his vet and she said he is suffering from separation anxiety. I now want my dog back and will work with the vet. The shelter does not want to give him back to me. Is he mine or theirs?
Answer
Generally when a person surrenders his/her animal to a shelter, such person has no further rights to that animal. Consulting with a veterinarian regarding an animal’s behavior should be done before, not after, surrendering the animal. A shelter may consider that a person who surrendered an animal is not emotionally connected to the animal and may give up on the animal again. Sometimes shelters will adopt an animal to the person who surrendered the animal if the shelter believes the animal will now get the love, patience, understanding and care he/she needs. I hope this works out for the dog.
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