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.


Regretting Surrendering Our Dogs to Shelter

We decided to surrender both of our dogs to a local shelter this month. One of them has been adopted and one of them remains in the shelter. We are wondering if we can get him back through re-adoption.

By |2025-09-30T14:52:44-04:00March 27th, 2018|

Lost Dog Ashes

I had to take my dog in to be euthanized. I asked to have her cremated and the ashes put in an urn and sent to me. After approximately three weeks I started calling the vet and they told me they could not find my dog's ashes.

By |2018-05-24T12:02:54-04:00March 19th, 2018|

Dog Re-homed Without Consent

I had two days of long shifts and asked my Grandma to watch the dog for the day, and she re-homed him. The new owner got in a car accident and returned him. My Grandma didn't tell me this amd the dog began living with my Aunt. When I asked for him back my Aunt was beside herself, so I told her she could keep him only if she gave him back if need be.

By |2018-05-24T11:58:54-04:00March 19th, 2018|

Vet Called Previous Owner

I received the dog 3 weeks ago. It got out and the vet called the number on the tag. The original owner drove two hours and picked up the dog. How can I get the dog back?

By |2018-05-24T11:28:34-04:00March 19th, 2018|

Foster Custody Procedures

A friend of mine adopted a dog from the shelter, she found out she is not allowed to keep the dog where she lives. I told her I would foster the dog because I do not want it going back to the shelter. I don’t know what I’m legally supposed to do next.

By |2018-05-24T11:27:10-04:00March 19th, 2018|

Mother Surrendered Dog Without Consent

This past week while I was in class my mom surrendered my dog to the local animal shelter. My dog had a rough start in life before I got him however he was marked as an “aggressive animal”, which is not true.

By |2018-05-24T12:15:56-04:00March 6th, 2018|
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