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.

What legal rights do I have as a foster parent?

I am currently fostering a young dog, that myself and children have grown attached to. We would like to move forward to adopt him, however the rescue wants the pup to go to a single male, living in a 600 square foot apartment. I live in a house on a half acre fenced in yard. This is a large breed that requires a lot exercise. The dog is afraid of men- even states it in his profile on the rescues website. The rescue is pushing for this man to take him, after I voiced my concerns that he is not a good fit for the dog. What legal rights do I have?

By |2022-10-26T10:54:19-04:00September 29th, 2022|

Is it illegal to keep someone’s pet and refuse to give it back?

Is it illegal to keep someone’s pet and refuse to give it back in California? What would happen if the pet owner decides to sue the person who is refusing to give back the pet? What if someone lost my pet when he was helping me to take care of my pet for a while? Can I sue him or ask for compensation?

By |2022-10-26T10:46:14-04:00September 29th, 2022|

Given a dog to keep, now they want him back.

My sons friend asked me to keep his dog and he pays for his medical care since he was 6 weeks old but the dog has been in my care for two years and now he wants him back. What can I do to keep him?

By |2022-10-27T09:41:17-04:00September 29th, 2022|

I want to take back kittens after giving them away.

I gave away kittens and I have a bad feeling . The people were not dressed properly, car was dirty. Personal life on Facebook looks decent but in person does not. She hooded the cat wrong and said “this is how you grab them if they behave bad." I don’t know what to do. I want to take the kittens back. The lady also lives in apartments, where later I looked up pets are not allowed. I’m worried sick for these kittens and it’s only been a few hours.

By |2022-10-27T09:19:00-04:00September 29th, 2022|

Previous owners trying to take back microchipped dog.

We were giving a dog three years ago. The previous owner had the dog chipped. We went on vacation and the dog ran away from our dog sitter. Now the previous owner is trying to take possession from the Humane Society. What do I do?

By |2022-10-27T09:14:41-04:00September 29th, 2022|

How can I legally claim an abandoned dog?

There was a dog left at the local vet and has not been picked up. The client was called everyday for the last 2 weeks. The client also expressed that she did not want to pay the 2k bill and she also stated that she is moving. What are the steps that we would need to do to legally claim the dog w/o any repercussions. The vet has no clue how to handle this.

By |2022-07-26T09:54:38-04:00July 10th, 2022|

Spouse threatening to take my ESA Cat to the pound.

My ESA cat has been hiding out in our room a lot since we got a very friendly excited dog. The cat has peed on my husband's laundry a few times (but has a history of peeing on various things occasionally in the past) now he's constantly threatening taking the cat to the shelter if it happens again. I'm breaking down in tears feeling like he'd be giving the boot to one of our children. Do I have any legal grounds to make him deal with cohabitating with the feline, since the cat is my ESA and one of the few things that still brings me joy?

By |2022-07-26T09:48:23-04:00July 6th, 2022|
Go to Top