The Inside Scoop On Why Your Vet Might Sell Your Dog Behind Your Back

From check-up to checkout.

Jesse

• Published in Interesting
• February 17, 2024

Ever wondered what’ll happen if you forget to pick up Fido from the vet after his check-up? Or worse, what if you can't afford the hefty bill? If yes, well, you’re not alone. 

The Quora community sparked a lively debate on whether veterinarians had the power to sell your beloved pet. Buckle up, pet lovers, because the answer might just surprise you!

Imagine dropping off your dog at the vet's for a routine check-up, but then life happens, and you forget to pick him up. Next thing you know, your veterinarian is posting adorable selfies with your four-legged buddy on Instagram. How did this happen? 

Well, According to some Quora experts, if you ‘forget’ your dog at the clinic and fail to pay up or return for them within a specified timeframe, your pooch could legally become their property.

But hold your howls! Not all vets are aspiring doggy moguls. Some staunchly uphold the integrity of pet ownership laws, insisting that without your explicit consent, your dog remains securely under your ownership, leash and all.

And then there's Texas, where everything is bigger, including the vet's authority. In the Lone Star State, if you've transferred ownership to the vet or simply vanished into thin air, your furry friend might find themselves on the market faster than you can say "fetch."

However, not all hope is lost for us pet parents. Some Quora contributors assure us that vets can't just sell our fur babies without permission. If you're in the "Heart of Dixie," it seems you have a say in whether your pup becomes someone else's problem or not

Let’s dig into the details

Two ways this can happen legally

“No, we cannot. If an animal were abandoned at our clinic, we need to follow the prescribed legal procedures.”

“If you legally abandoned the dog and attempts were made to reunite you with them, someone selling that dog is probably okay.”

This quora explained some situations that could legally allow a Vet to sell your pooch

“No one other than you, can sell your dog.”

“In Maryland, a veterinarian’s lien may be enforced after 10 days of giving notice to the owner. After 10 days the veterinarian may sell it.”

“No vet is entitled to sell your dog. The dog is yours and yours alone.“

“If the dog is left at the vet or a kennel (abandoned), then state law would dictate what the vet can do with the dog.”

“The veterinarian doesn’t own the dog. Only the owner can sell the dog.”

“ANYONE attempting to sell anything that is your property, cannot do so without your permission!”

“My understanding, however, is that the owner must authorize the TRANSFER OF ownership.”

So, what's the verdict? Well, it seems like it depends on where you hang your leash. While it's unlikely that your vet is plotting to auction off your precious pup, it's essential to be aware of your rights and responsibilities as a pet owner.

Keep those vet bills paid, and always remember to pick up your fur babies on time!

What do you think about this story? Let us know in the comments.

Jesse