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.

Foster parenting rights

Only a week ago, I verbally agreed to foster a 2 mo old puppy, that is special needs. She blind, and deaf. We have made great strides in her development. Just days after getting her, they contacted me to see if we were going to keep her or if they should put her up for adoption. At first I was very hesitant and unsure what I was going to do. So I said yes they could post her. The next day they had found a home for her with kids. And I decided it wasn't in the puppy's best interest, with her disabilities. Now they say no, I can't keep her. They want to spay her @ 2 months old, and 2 days later ship her off to Virginia. Again at the best interest of the puppy. I said no. Do I as a foster parent have the right to keep her?

By |2022-03-04T13:45:54-04:00March 4th, 2022|

SPCA won’t release the dogs I bought as a gift to my daughter because of my past.

I brought dogs for my daughter and grandchildren, someone dog napped them and the spca rescued them. I have a animal cruelty charge from 3 years ago which isn't my fault but took responsibility. I did my time and paid my fine, spca wouldn't release the animals to my daughter being that I purchased them as a gift to her and her children. What can I do about this matter?

By |2022-06-16T14:00:19-04:00March 1st, 2022|

Took my dog for 1 incident.

So long story short I have a well loved dog almost two years he is an outside dog and always has remained on his thought chain of had never broke before. Well he got off after a link broke and he was off a total of ten minutes in that time the neighbors dog was on their porch with no leash and my dog went straight to him and they got into a scuffle. Wasn't for 60 seconds. Police showed up and walked towards my dog n he had gear and a hat on enough to make any dog wonder my dog jumped at police but did not bite him . My kids are very close to our dog and this was a freak accident he's NEVER been aggressive towards people and animals. The next day I came home and animal control had my dog calling him aggressive and he's nowhere near aggressive any dog that doesn't know someone is going to probably feel threatened. I miss my dog and I really want to see him and what steps to take to get him back please help with any answers.

By |2022-06-16T13:28:19-04:00February 26th, 2022|

Cat being held at a shelter after someone else surrendered it.

My cat disappeared and then showed up at a shelter, Talking with the shelter someone 'owner surrendered' it. He was microchipped and registered to me, I have vet records for him but they are sending him to another rescue and won't provide the rescues name. How can I get my cat back?

By |2022-06-16T13:42:47-04:00February 16th, 2022|

I want my dog back.

I was diagnosed with a brain tumor, I had no energy to do anything with my dog and was not away to get better since I had a brain surgery and the tumor remained. I gave my dog away to a family but a few months ago I had radiation therapy and it seems that I have a chance to continue living and now the only thing I want is my dog back. P.S. I didn’t sell my dog, It was given for adoption for free. The question, do I have the right to have my dog back? I don’t think the new owner will agree to give me the dog back.

By |2022-06-16T13:22:29-04:00February 16th, 2022|
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