Advice

How Can I Request a Welfare Check for Cats Kept in Alleged Unsafe Conditions?

Hi there. My number one worry is for the cats. If this leads to them going to a kill shelter, I don’t want that at all. I honestly don’t know who to go to with this, but I can’t stop worrying about them. A woman on the Nextdoor app keeps requesting food and items for cats, and I brought over a bunch of toys and supplies under the impression that she had taken in six cats. I thought she was helping cats in need. However, when I showed up, the house did not appear to be accommodating. I never went inside, but word on Nextdoor is that all of the cats are locked in a downstairs basement room without windows. She posted that it is cold down there and asked for space heaters while begging for more food. I then found out she actually has 19 cats locked down there. I am extremely concerned for these cats being confined together, especially knowing that this woman has no job and a 15-year-old child. Are these cats being properly fed? She has said she wants to start a nonprofit. Is there any way a wellness check could be arranged so someone who knows what to do can check on them? I am so sorry, I feel bad because she may mean well, but I am worried about whether these cats are going to be okay.

By |2026-01-27T12:44:46-04:00December 17th, 2025|

Can a Rescue Force Me to Adopt or Charge Me Fees if I Return a Foster Dog?

I am fostering a dog and applied to adopt her. The rescue told me I am a great home but is refusing to let me adopt because I questioned some of her ethics, and she is angry with me. I then wanted to return the dog. Under my foster agreement, I am held non-liable for returning her, but she is holding me to my adoption paperwork and saying that if I return the dog, I have to pay for boarding and expenses. She has also threatened me with legal action. I have asked many times for copies of my foster and adoption contracts that I signed, but she ignores me. Additionally, she has an EIN from New Jersey, and I do not believe she is registered in New York to do business. She has been operating in New York since 2021. I love the dog, but I cannot deal with the harassment.

By |2026-01-27T11:56:08-04:00December 6th, 2025|

Is there any way to avoid having my dog neutered, or is it impossible because a bite occurred?

I have a Cane Corso. My adult son had company over, and the couple brought their 2‑year‑old child. They left her unattended, even though they know she tends to wander and likes to open doors. My dog was outside in the yard for just a few minutes. She managed to open the door to the yard and tried to feed him some dry cereal she had in a bowl. He jumped on her, likely out of excitement for the food, and when the parents ran over and created more excitement trying to grab her, he bit her. Animal control confiscated him, and now they’re telling me that after his 10‑day hold, I have no choice but to have him neutered before they return him home. I’m a veteran and planned to register him as an intact service dog. Is there any way to avoid having him neutered, or is it impossible because a bite occurred? He’s not an aggressive animal — she plays with him every time she visits.

By |2026-01-27T11:00:01-04:00December 6th, 2025|

What Are My Legal Options When a Rescue Takes My Dogs and Accuses Me of Animal Cruelty?

Earlier this year, I reached out to a rescue to help me re-home some puppies because I was overwhelmed. Five of my dogs all got pregnant and had babies just days apart. Before the puppies were born, I was already struggling, but I was managing. After the puppies arrived, I became completely overwhelmed, so I finally sought help. The woman from the rescue came and took the puppies. She said that because of their age, the mother dogs had to go too. I asked about getting them back, and she assured me I would, even drawing up a contract stating that after the puppies were weaned, I would get the mother dogs back. Unfortunately, she did something I never expected: she posted about the situation on social media, painted me as the bad guy, and called the police, who arrested me for animal cruelty. This is far from the truth. While I acknowledge I had too many dogs, I was not cruel—I provided food, water, and daily outdoor time for all of them. That is why I reached out for help in the first place. Now, the woman won’t answer my calls, and the pound is not letting me see the other animals they took from my house. I don’t know what to do, but my animals are my life, and I need help.

By |2026-01-27T14:32:59-04:00November 25th, 2025|

Does a Breeder Have the Right to Reclaim a Dog After a Vaccine Records Dispute?

A breeder gave me an adult dog she retired and said she had his vaccine and health records. She was supposed to give them to me with the dog but didn’t, saying she forgot and would send them to my vet. Now she is refusing to provide them. I told her that this must mean she did not vaccinate him. She became angry and said she was coming to take the dog back. I’ve had him for almost two months. Can she legally take the dog back, and how can I obtain his vaccine records from her?

By |2026-01-27T14:25:01-04:00November 8th, 2025|

Can I Sue to Get My Emotional Support Animal Back or Recover the Money I Paid?

How much would it cost for a lawyer to help get my emotional support animal back from people who claim that I abandoned the animal? What would I do if I am denied getting the emotional support animal back? Would I file a civil suit for the amount I paid for the animal and everything else I paid for, or would I sue to have the animal returned?

By |2026-01-27T13:38:20-04:00November 8th, 2025|

My ESA has been withheld from me for 4 months.

What can I legally do if my husband, that I am going through divorce from, stole two of my dogs that are both microchipped and one of them is my actual emotional support animal for my PTSD from the death of my baby. What are my legal rights? I know where he lives now. He is completely ignoring me. It is causing me extreme emotional distress and he is well aware.

By |2026-01-07T17:35:21-04:00November 7th, 2025|

Can I TAKE back a dog because it’s being neglected/abused?

I gave my daughter my dog a couple years ago. They have always been around each other and she lives alone and is always out and about in a not so good part of town, often by herself. My dog is a sort of intimidating dog from his size alone. He's a yellow Lab/white Shepard mix. I felt he would be a good detterant protection for her. A couple years went by and no problems. She was good to him. Took him to vet appointments regularly, kept him fed and watered and in general good living conditions. She allowed me to take him in May of this year, out for a few hours without her. He went from 80 pounds to under 40 when I saw him recently. Is this grounds for me to take him back? He was also matted from sleeping on urine soaked bedding. What can I do?

By |2026-01-07T17:26:34-04:00November 7th, 2025|
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