Pet Legal Q&A Archives

My ex rehomed my dog. How do I get him back?

I would like to know what steps I can take to get my dog Alex, who I have had for many years, back. My ex has rehomed him. I do know where the dog is, but the new owners won't let me see him and aren't willing to talk. What can I do?

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-22T12:39:54-05:00July 22nd, 2019|

I surrendered my dog. Can I find the new owners?

My old dog was surrendered 8 months ago. Can someone tell me how to locate her? She was adopted at 5 years old. I don't want her back, but I want to tell her thank you and say goodbye. How do I find her new owners?

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-22T12:36:15-05:00July 22nd, 2019|

I rehomed my dog and he is being returned.

I met a lovely couple who I rehomed my dog with. They met him before hand and loved him and their other dog loved him too. They took him home. Now it's been a week and they want to bring him back because their female dog randomly does not like him anymore. My guess is they really wanted to breed them, but I didn't take them as that type of people. But my question is, do I have to return the rehoming fee I charged them? I used the money to pay his past vet bill so they didn't have any problem taking him back to his original vet. So am I responsible for returning the fee or do they give that up by returning him?

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-22T12:31:26-05:00July 22nd, 2019|

How can I help an animal that is being abused?

Can I legally remove a dog off a property if I have evidence of abuse? My wife's sister lives in the apartment above these people, and that poor dog has been in 90+ degree weather for weeks locked in a kennel, and they hear them hitting the dog daily.

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T13:30:03-05:00July 17th, 2019|

Can I buy my dog back after signing him over?

I took a dog in, but I am unable to pay the vet bill. I asked about every option, and of course being scared and worried, I signed him over to them. I called to see how he was doing and was told that I don't have any right to call them, he will be fixed, and he will go to a shelter. They said to not ever call again and harass them. They were completely dismissive, and I honestly feel like I made a mistake. Is there any way I can buy him back?

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T13:26:40-05:00July 17th, 2019|

I gave away a pet and now I regret it.

A week ago I was under a lot of stress dealing with health issues. My daughter received a puppy for Christmas in 2018 from her dad. Last week in the heat of the moment, I gave her dog away. I did not measure the consequences of my actions. Now all my children are crying and they want their pet back. I've reached out to the person I gave our dog to and explained to her the situation. My daughter was suffering anxiety from being bullied at school and her therapist had stated that a pet could help her deal with it. Now I am afraid that me giving away her dog has her struggling with depression again. The dog has been at this person's home for 5 days. I've tried to explain that I was wrong in my doing, but she refuses to return the dog. What can I do? I have 3 kids crying and begging for their dog to come home.

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T13:22:31-05:00July 17th, 2019|

Humane Society wants me to pay a fee.

My cat was brought to The Humane Society (he escaped in the morning and someone brought him in) and they are now trying to charge me $80 to get him back. They dewormed him, and gave him flee treatment (that’s why they want to charge me), but they did not have my permission to do so, and I can’t afford to buy him back. Is there anything I can do?

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T13:18:28-05:00July 17th, 2019|

A lady is trying to give away my dog.

I lost my dog, but I recently found a lady trying to give her away on Facebook saying that it’s hers. When I tried to message her, she didn't answer and always cancels when I try to plan to meet. I’m not her registered owner though. What can I do?

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T12:21:55-05:00July 17th, 2019|

I couldn’t afford the surgery my dog needed.

A week ago I took my puppy in because I could tell he wasn’t feeling good. The vet wanted $900 just for a ultra sound and X-ray to see what was wrong with him. I was told it could be a $2,000 - $3,000 surgery. Me and my fiancé asked if there was anything else they could do so they gave him medicine hoping he would be better by the next day. He still wasn’t better so I decided to take him to a new vet. They took him into the room right away, and less than 10 minutes later she came out saying he has a bunch of kidney stones and needs surgery which will cost $6,000-$10,000. They said I can pay for it, and if I can’t, I have to give him up. They didn’t give me payment options or anything. It was 1 or the other. I don’t have that much money I’m only 19. They took him and said they will do the surgery then find someone who will adopt him. I’m so confused why someone gets to adopt my healthy pup now. It doesn’t seem right. I couldn’t afford it so I lose my best friend, but the next person gets to adopt him with no other surgery prices? Please help I don’t know what to do, and this doesn’t seem right.

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T12:13:08-05:00July 17th, 2019|

I want the lost dog I found back.

I recently found an abandoned dog and my partner called the Humane Society the following day (the pickup is under his name). We informed we were considering adopting the dog but had to go over a few things first. The lady that picked him up informed they would give the owners 3 days to claim him and if not, we could fill the adoption papers. To my surprise, I found his profile online and see that he has been pre-adopted within less than 24 hours. Is there any loophole, or any possible way I could claim him as mine, since he was technically living under my roof for a day or two? Is there any way I could get him back? I am desperate.

By Elinor Molbegott|2019-07-17T12:08:01-05:00July 17th, 2019|