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Pet Legal Q&A

Elinor D. Molbegott, is an attorney who maintains a law practice devoted to animal law. Elinor donates her time to answer questions from North Shore Animal League America supporters who would like to learn more about animal law.

Can I adopt a dog I found and surrendered?

I found a dog in the grass near the road at night and was worried about her. She had a collar on but no identifying information, and she was very scared. I brought her home so she’d be safe, and the next morning I brought her to our local Humane Society. They scanned for a microchip, and finding none, had me sign a surrender form so they could take her for a five day hold to find the owner or see if she is a candidate for adoption. I can’t stop thinking about her, and if possible I’d like to adopt her. Will I be able to do so after signing a surrender form— considering she wasn’t my dog when I surrendered her?

By |2021-03-25T15:04:42-05:00March 25th, 2021|

Requesting to see my surrendered cat.

I have surrendered my cat to a no-kill shelter because I had to move out of the state and because I was having some health problems at the time and I couldn't take care of it. Since I haven't moved yet and I am still in Las Vegas, NV, I have asked to see my cat because my son and I, we miss him. The shelter told me that he has been adopted within the same month when I surrendered, and that they can't give me information of the adopter person for privacy purpose. I have not asked for the Adopter's address or anything related, I've asked if they can call the person who adopted my pet to let me see the pet one more time or send me a picture of him because I miss him that bad. They are not even returning my calls or emails back. I feel they have no right to treat people's feelings like that. What can I do?

By |2021-03-25T14:42:01-05:00March 25th, 2021|

How can we get our cat back?

I am really desperate to get help. On Friday, January 29, 2021, my husband and I did the mistake of taking our cat to the shelter . We regretted it and on that same day he called to try to get him back, but they didn’t answer. Then we went to the shelter on Monday, February 1, 2021, and they told us he had been adopted. That cat was my son special needs cat and now he is so sad he doesn’t want to eat. What can I do to get him back?

By |2021-03-25T14:34:04-05:00March 25th, 2021|

Was my dog neutered or not?

Back in April of 2020 I spent around $400 to get my dog neutered. After he was fixed he wasn’t peeing right, he still doesn’t. Sometimes he lifts his leg (which I know is normal for males) but sometimes he squats, walks as he’s peeing and he even pees when he gets scared which he used to never do. A few months later we went to the breeder and ended up buying his sister. My dog is now a little over a year old and his sister is 6-7 months and we think she’s pregnant. Her nipples are enlarged and she appears to be nesting. If she is pregnant do you think the vet could have messed up while trying to get my dog neutered?

By |2021-02-22T11:59:10-05:00February 22nd, 2021|

Who is the rightful owner of the ashes?

My daughter gave me a dog 6 years ago. The dog had to be put down and now my daughter says the ashes belong to her, it was her dog. She said all I was was a body at home. The dog was older and had health issues. She never came to see the dog. I was the dog’s sole caretaker and I loved the dog with all that I had. I want the ashes. Who is the rightful owner?

By |2021-03-25T14:22:50-05:00February 11th, 2021|

Breeder has not sent me AKC papers after over two years.

I got my husky a little over two years ago. He was sold to me as a pure bred and I was told I would receive the papers after a few months. It has now been over two years and this woman has never answered me, nor returned any of my multiple emails. I am fed up. What should I do?

By |2021-03-25T14:28:36-05:00February 11th, 2021|

How can I get my emotional support dog back?

We had a person foster my dog while we got ourselves into a new home. My dog is an emotional support dog and they are refusing to give her back. I have the papers from my doctor stating she’s my emotional support dog. How can I get her back?

By |2021-04-16T15:18:47-05:00January 25th, 2021|

Should I help cousin adopt a cat?

My cousin is requesting me to adopt a cat for her and she will keep him. She cannot get him because she lives in an apartment and they are requesting an actual house. I am allergic to cats and although I love them, I do not want the legal responsibilities if she decides she no longer wants him. Is this okay or should I just let it be?

By |2021-02-22T12:26:32-05:00January 13th, 2021|
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