Legal Question in Family Law in Massachusetts
animal adoption contract
Surrendered my dog and regret it. Organization set up private adoption for dog. Organization wrote contract but didnt sign it. Contract does not state that I gave up my legal rights to dog. It states that dog is surrendered and adopted. Myself and new owners signed. I asked for dog back 5 days later. New owners agreed, but organization didnt (because of contract). So new ownere then changed thier minds about giving dog back. Would it possible to take legal action to get dog back? Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. My family is heart broken.
2 Answers from Attorneys
Re: animal adoption contract
I am sorry for your loss. However, you signed a contract and your intent at the time was to surrender your dog and assure he/she went to a good home. There must have been a good reason that you went so far as to surrender your pet. Try to be happy knowing that your dog is in a good and caring home (because organizations screen all potential adopters).
Sincerely, Maria Murber
Re: animal adoption contract
Without seeing the "contract," it is hard to say much. If the adopting people paid you money for the dog, there was a completed sale, whatever you want to call it. If they want to rescind the sale at your request, they and you can do so. If they paid the organization a fee and the organization will not return it, it is up to you if you want to compensate them for that expense, and/or return any money you received for the dog, and if you don't, they certainly do not have to return the dog.
A dog is not a child, and this question does not belong in this category.