When Rescue Goes Wrong

My Mom tattoos her SS# to the belly of each of her dogs. For this very reason. Hard for someone to argue that the dog is not hers when it is tattoed with her SS#.
 
My Mom tattoos her SS# to the belly of each of her dogs. For this very reason. Hard for someone to argue that the dog is not hers when it is tattoed with her SS#.

For identification purposes, that works. For the purposes of reuniting lost dog and owner, it sucks. Who do you call to find the person attached to a SS#? Nobody.
 
In the US is a microchip THE legal ownership of a dog/cat?

Is one chip more legal than another? My two have 24-Hour Pet Watch but Cubby will have Home Again (TODAY). The vet says they will register it and it takes about a month. However, I am sure I can pay my fee and set up my online registration today.

Nope. Think about this. Many rescues chip the dogs, put themselves on as the first contact and refuse to change it to the new owner (the person that bought the dog from them). The new owner has an "adoption agreement", because that sounds nicer than a "bill of sale". And the rescue claims it can reclaim the dog at any time for any reason.

Who owns that dog?
 
Here's another one.

I have a dog who will go live with my friend after he gets one last Master Standard leg for his MX. Every piece of paper has my name on it, but he will be living with her, she will be feeding, caring, brushing, etc. At some point she might have a rabies certificate with her name on it. There will be no bill of sale, no written agreement.

Who owns the dog?
 
I have a dog who will go live with my friend. Who owns the dog?

You do. I let my retired show Persian Grand CH. live with my in-laws. NO transfer. He was mine and they had a custodianship. When it came down to the final decision on euthanasia, she and I had a difference of opinion. The vet took MY decision because I was the legal owner on the papers and also supported by the co-owner on the papers as I had never transferred him after his show days from myself/co-owner. The vet, at least, recognized the papers as legal over possession.

He was not chipped though.
 
And the rescue claims it can reclaim the dog at any time for any reason. Who owns that dog?

Depends on if a chip is indeed the mark of ownership or a bill of sale or an adoption agreement or some form of registration (like PAL etc). Would a registration or a county license supersede a chip?

If they have the right to reclaim, you are just a custodian.

Guess having all my ducks in a row (chip, papers, vet notes, pictures, etc) is the best I can do. That and never leaving the dogs alone, ever. Guess we will take shifts leaving the house and stand armed guard over them. World is getting insane, I tell you.
 
Depends on if a chip is indeed the mark of ownership or a bill of sale or an adoption agreement or some form of registration (like PAL etc). Would a registration or a county license supersede a chip?

If they have the right to reclaim, you are just a custodian.

Guess having all my ducks in a row (chip, papers, vet notes, pictures, etc) is the best I can do. That and never leaving the dogs alone, ever. Guess we will take shifts leaving the house and stand armed guard over them. World is getting insane, I tell you.

I am with you Mom2Melli! I have: chip, papers, vet notes, pictures, etc...
I just hope that is enough!

Everyone always makes fun of me that I will not travel. This just gives me more reason not to.

I am blessed to work at home so I am ALWAYS with my boys... they are my life and I will never allow anyone to take them from me!
 
Back
Top