Question

I got a puppy from a Titusville. FL shelter. She was very young, we agreed to bring her back to get spayed in about a month. I don’t want to. What can they do about it? My wife thinks they will get the sheriff’s office involved.

Answer

Rights and obligations of shelters and adopters are generally contained in an adoption agreement. That agreement should be carefully reviewed. Some adoption agreements provide that in addition to other damages (such as for money that the shelter incurs in attempting to enforce the agreement), the shelter shall have the right to reclaim the animal for breaches of the agreement. Consider that spaying/neutering help to curtail the overpopulation of dogs and cats and can also provide health benefits.

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