Question
My sister-in-law happened to find a cat that was in need of help and brought him to an animal shelter. The animal shelter told her that they were full and wanted to make her into a foster, but she didn't want to become a fostering agent with them and refused. The shelter is now blasting her and her 13 year old daughter on social media for inquiring for help and refusing to become one of their fosters. Is there a tax advantage or legal reason the animal shelter would attempt to force her into becoming a foster agent? What kind of authority besides the state police (we've already reported for defamation and harassment) for animal rescues can we provide this information to, to help prevent this happening from other people?
Answer
Most importantly, I hope the cat is doing well.
When shelters place animals in foster homes, they can oversee the animals’ care. They can also reunite lost animals with their “parents” and adopt out unretrieved animals to carefully screened individuals more readily than if they have no control over the animals. However, it is not common for shelters to criticize people for not participating in their foster programs.
Complaints about animal shelters may be made to the state Attorney General and the Department of Agriculture.
PLEASE NOTE: Responses to legal inquiries are not meant to replace seeking legal advice from an attorney in your state. The materials in this website and any responses to questions are for informational purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed, as legal advice. This website, the information contained herein, and any responses to questions directed to this column are not intended to create and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely or act upon any information provided on this website or in any response to your inquiry without seeking the advice of an attorney in your state regarding the facts of your specific situation.
Send Your Pet Legal Question Now!
Elinor will field as many questions as she can and they will be posted here on this site. Due to the volume of questions received, not all questions are answered. However, many individuals have similar questions. You may find helpful information in the categories listed below.