Do I own a dog "adopted" from a rescue centre 23 September 2022 at 11:55AM edited 23 September 2022 at 11:59AM in Pets & pet care 17 replies 1.2K views

Mistral001

A few years ago I got a dog from a well-known rescue home.  They never used the word "new owner" when referring to me, but instead referred to me as adopting the dog.  I do not plan to sell the dog or anything like that, but I have always wondered whether I actually ever legally own my dog.  I paid £100 for the dog and this sum was referred to as a donation in all paperwork, which suggests that since there was no official payment, I do not actually own the dog.

lisyloo

Did you get a contract?
what does it say?

was there a microchip?
who is registered?

Mistral001

I managed to find the  documentation that came with my dog.  It would appear that I am not the legal owner of the dog.  The form I signed when I got the dog had a number of tick boxes which were already ticked except for the  box that says that  "I become the legal owner of the dog" which I see now I did not tick.  I assume then that I could have become the owner if I wanted to.

The dog is licensed in my name and I also got it microchipped myself as far as I can remember. The conditions refer to me as the "keeper" of the dog, so it would appear it is similar in some respects to having a car on hire purchase where you do not actually own the car but are responsible for registering it as its "keeper".

DullGreyGuy

It depends on the other terms in the contract... if you have a leasehold flat you dont own the property itself but you are entitled to sell the remainder of the lease to someone else.

Much easier resolved by a quick call to the charity to confirm if you are allowed to pass the animal to someone else, if they have to be involved in that process at all etc... if its for payment or free probably doesn't make material difference. 

lisyloo

I don’t own my dog and it’s microchipped to both myself and the rescue.
this is in case the dog gets lost, or I guess I could die or potentially to stop people getting them to sell for a profit.
if anything happens the dog goes back to the rescue.
I think it’s a good scheme.
there are times when people die and most younger people wouldn’t consider succession planning for their dog.

SensibleSarah

It very much depends on the wording of your specific adoption agreement i.e. contract. I currently have 2x rescue dogs (from the same rescue) and to all intents and purposes, I own them and am fully responsible for them, but I agreed in the adoption paperwork that if I can no longer keep them (or die) then they will go back to the rescue. Works for me! I trust them to find them a well-matched new home and my family aren't local (I live alone) and wouldn't be in a position to take them on anyway if something happened to me. 
The donation you make to adopt them is just a donation, not a purchase price. The rescue transferred the microchip records over to me after the dogs had each been with me a few months (to make sure the adoption stuck before doing so, presumably). 

Robin9

Never had a dog but my cat's own me !  I obey their every command - open the door, close the door, breakfast, more ..........

lincroft1710

Many years ago got a cat from well known rescue centre and I'm pretty certain they had the right to reclaim the animal if they felt it was not being well cared for (not that they ever bothered to visit as they had said they would)..


So I think rescue centres retain the ownership of their animals, and "adopters" have no such rights.

sheramber

A responsible rescue will be concerned about the future welfare any dog adopted from them and will state it should be returned to them if you are no longer able to look after it.

Murphybear

Robin9 said:

Never had a dog but my cat's own me !  I obey their every command - open the door, close the door, breakfast, more ..........

Scratch their ears, polish their coats, provide suitable cat toys not forgetting a fabric mouse stuffed with catmint, clean the cat litter tray as soon as it’s used, provide freshly laundered sheets in various parts of the house as they will want to chop and change their resting areas …

Note of caution:   No matter how much they plead, it is not wise to provide them with pampas grass.  A well trained cat can destroy one stem in seconds and it will take you a long time to pick up the bits.     I found out the hard way.  

Catsacor

Mistral001 said:

A few years ago I got a dog from a well-known rescue home.  They never used the word "new owner" when referring to me, but instead referred to me as adopting the dog.  I do not plan to sell the dog or anything like that, but I have always wondered whether I actually ever legally own my dog.  I paid £100 for the dog and this sum was referred to as a donation in all paperwork, which suggests that since there was no official payment, I do not actually own the dog.

I've always known the person 'taking on' the pet as their adoptive or foster parent/owner.
The organisation Cinnamon Trust will pay for all vetinary requirements - them being the true owner, i don't know about other organisations.