My jurisdiction is: Ca, USA
In Jan of 09 I personally adopted a dog from a local shelter (signed an adoption contract & paid a fee). The original adoption contract from the shelter stated "this animal is being adopted as my own companion animal and will not be given as a gift, resold, or used as a guard dog". However it does not say I have to return the dog to the shelter if I no longer can keep it. Although I signed that contract I did not intend on keeping the dog. I was only saving her from shelter life. I brought her to my home & had a verbal agreement to foster her while a different dog rescue (that I volunteer with) advertised the dog on their website & tried to find her a permanent home. After a few weeks I thought the dog had found a new home so when I was preparing to transfer the dog I signed a form that stated that "I herby relinquish any & all claim to my dog and surrender it to such & such animal rescue to dispose of as they see fit". However the new home fell through & neither they nor the rescue ever took possession of the dog. She has remained in my home & in my care for the past 3+months. I have paid out of pocket for food, vet bills, & training. The rescue also has paid for some training. I recently informed the rescue that I want to adopt/keep the dog and they have told me no.
Am I legally obligated to give them the dog because I signed the surrender form mentioned above? Again they never took possession of the dog & she has been living with me from the day I adopted her from the shelter.
Additionally I never signed anything stating that I would foster the dog (they do have foster contracts but I was not asked to sign one).
In Jan of 09 I personally adopted a dog from a local shelter (signed an adoption contract & paid a fee). The original adoption contract from the shelter stated "this animal is being adopted as my own companion animal and will not be given as a gift, resold, or used as a guard dog". However it does not say I have to return the dog to the shelter if I no longer can keep it. Although I signed that contract I did not intend on keeping the dog. I was only saving her from shelter life. I brought her to my home & had a verbal agreement to foster her while a different dog rescue (that I volunteer with) advertised the dog on their website & tried to find her a permanent home. After a few weeks I thought the dog had found a new home so when I was preparing to transfer the dog I signed a form that stated that "I herby relinquish any & all claim to my dog and surrender it to such & such animal rescue to dispose of as they see fit". However the new home fell through & neither they nor the rescue ever took possession of the dog. She has remained in my home & in my care for the past 3+months. I have paid out of pocket for food, vet bills, & training. The rescue also has paid for some training. I recently informed the rescue that I want to adopt/keep the dog and they have told me no.
Am I legally obligated to give them the dog because I signed the surrender form mentioned above? Again they never took possession of the dog & she has been living with me from the day I adopted her from the shelter.
Additionally I never signed anything stating that I would foster the dog (they do have foster contracts but I was not asked to sign one).