Legal Question in Civil Litigation in Virginia

Re: Family Pet

If you're concerned about your growing

attachment to this dog and the possibility that his true owner may come and take him away, better to confront this possible reality sooner rather than later, and contact the rightful owner to determine whether this person now wants his or her dog returned. If not, then tell the owner that you'll be glad to keep him and to forward the papers to you as the new owner. If the owner wants the animal back, then simply arrange for it to happen.

Another option would be to just hang onto the dog and treat him as if he was yours and, then, perhaps, one day, he truly will be (assuming no real owner appears to claim him).