s/o adopting a pet and contracts

[Anonymous]

I have always purchased my dogs so I don’t understand how contracts with adoption agencies work. Do they maintain some legal claim to your pet after you have adopted him?

What happens if you break the terms of the contract?

[Anonymous]

Usually they stipulate that the pet comes back to their rescue if you can’t keep it, but they’re all different. But they don’t have a “legal claim” to your dog.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Usually they stipulate that the pet comes back to their rescue if you can’t keep it, but they’re all different. But they don’t have a “legal claim” to your dog.

What are the consequences if that does not happen? I’m just trying to understand the point and purpose of these contracts and how enforceable they are.

[Anonymous]

It’s a contract. They can sue you. Damages are breach of contract and their legal fees.

Didn’t Ellen Degeneres get sued by a rescue for this?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually they stipulate that the pet comes back to their rescue if you can’t keep it, but they’re all different. But they don’t have a “legal claim” to your dog.

What are the consequences if that does not happen? I’m just trying to understand the point and purpose of these contracts and how enforceable they are.

I volunteer at the county shelter, and know that on occasion, a pet that was originally adopted from us gets surrendered elsewhere. With chipped pets this can be tracked, so that shelter is able to contact us and someone goes to pick up the animal. What, if any, consequences there are for the person surrendering, I don't know.

[Anonymous]

We rescued a cat and were told their contract stipulated that if we needed to re home it we would have to pay them $5000 and return it to them.

But there is nothing to stop people rehoming their pets to other families. And they don't come and check up on you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Usually they stipulate that the pet comes back to their rescue if you can’t keep it, but they’re all different. But they don’t have a “legal claim” to your dog.

What are the consequences if that does not happen? I’m just trying to understand the point and purpose of these contracts and how enforceable they are.

It depends on the contract. Some may stipulate an amount of damages. Others may not. There isn’t one rescue contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rescued a cat and were told their contract stipulated that if we needed to re home it we would have to pay them $5000 and return it to them.

But there is nothing to stop people rehoming their pets to other families. And they don't come and check up on you.

If they get caught, it’s usually because the microchip traces them.

[Anonymous]

I suppose fines and fees help fund the adoption agencies so there is an incentive for them to pursue broken contracts.

[Anonymous]

I think they make these contracts to ensure that the pets are returned to them if necessary rather than dropped off at a shelter and euthanized. When they rescue a dog, they view that as rescuing the dog for life and helping that dog avoid an untimely death at any point in its life. I view it as a guarantee that though things may not always work out for the dog with an adopter, that dog is going to be safe and eventually find a loving home.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We rescued a cat and were told their contract stipulated that if we needed to re home it we would have to pay them $5000 and return it to them.

But there is nothing to stop people rehoming their pets to other families. And they don't come and check up on you.

Is that a typo? $500 is in the reasonable ballpark. $5000? Not happening.

[Anonymous]

Nothing really happens if the new owner doesn’t abide by the contract.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Nothing really happens if the new owner doesn’t abide by the contract.

That’s not true. Have done quite a bit of rescue work and seen them go after people.

[Anonymous]

I remember this crazy story. A lady adopted a cat and let it go outside on a leash. The rescue sued her to try to get the cat back because they said it violated their terms.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.nbcboston.com/news/local/salem-animal-shelter-sues-to-get-cat-back-from-woman-over-video/2968/%3famp

[Anonymous]

This is why I don't adopt from these rescues. It's crazy.