Couple Seeks To Reclaim Dog Given To Friend A Year Ago, Current Keeper Declines Request

They planned to surrender the dog to a shelter before they moved out of town.

May

• Published in Animal Stories
• August 17, 2023

Adopting a dog is equivalent to saving a life. When you get yours from a dog rescue, you not only provide a loving home for a furry friend in need but also contribute to reducing the number of homeless dogs and supporting the important work of these rescue organizations.

Furthermore, adopting a dog from a rescue often comes with the added benefit of knowing the dog's temperament and behavior through assessments done by experienced caregivers. These dogs are often spayed or neutered, vaccinated, and even microchipped, ensuring they have a healthy start in their new homes.

But sometimes, a dog doesn't always come from the shelter. If a friend's living situation has changed, and they need to give up the dog, why not consider being the one to adopt it?

If you have the time and resources to care for the dog, it doesn't have to be surrendered to the shelter. Unfortunately, problems can arise from this setup.

This story over at the "Am I The A**hole?" (AITA) subreddit is one good example. The original poster (OP) has two friends who had to give up their dog because they're moving to a different city.

They were supposed to surrender their pet to the shelter, but the OP decided to adopt it. She has bonded with the dog, whom she considers her best friend.

The OP's friends moved back to town after a year and want the dog back. But she refuses to return it to them.

Now, she asks the community if not giving back the dog makes her the a-hole.

The OP asks:

She tells the community about her friends' situation. They had to move out and give up the dog.

After a year, the friends came back to town.

Since the dog is already registered under the OP's name and has bonded with it, she doesn't want to return it.

Why are they asking for the dog back when they originally planned to give it up to the shelter?

When they surrendered the dog to the OP, it's already equivalent to giving it up for adoption. They can't get the dog back at this point.

Even if they decided to take this to court, the friends probably won't win the case.

The dog is rightfully the OP's. She saved the dog from being placed in a shelter.

Not only did she register it under her name, she also has been providing for its needs. These make her the rightful owner.

It's pretty clear at the beginning that they were willing to give the dog up.

These friends should stop bothering her over a property they no longer own.

No matter what the friends say or do, the OP is the legal owner of the dog. They cannot get the dog back unless the OP allows it.

The OP should stand her ground and continue the ownership of the dog. Who knows what will happen in the future?

What if their situation changes, and they need to give it up once more? It's not fair to the dog.

May