My family was asked to foster a dog for a few months. (To me that meant 3-4 months) We have soft spots for animals so we didn’t even think, we offered our help. We were told the girl was going through a break up and went back to her parents where and the dog was not allowed.
It has now been 6 months, she has only visited once. All other visits, she bailed and never came. She does venmo money for food, and that’s it. When the dog went in heat it was huge mess, but we knew going into it that she wasn’t fixed. We provided all doggy diapers and took care of it.
We’ve told her repeatedly that the dog may have an ear infection (we took her to the vet and never told the owner just to see if she cared)
Meanwhile, dog owner is on social media showing off her new nails, clothes, hair etc.
I’m sure you’ve figured out my question… would I be an asshole if I tried to keep the dog? With all that I’ve stated is it fair? My family is very attached to her and don’t want to give her back. We also cringe at the thought of this sweet dog going back to her and being pinned in a too small crate 8-10 hours a day. She’s had free roam in my house since day one and never a problem.
What do you all think?
Maybe ask her if she’s willing to let you adopt the dog?
Go get dog chipped in ur name
Definitely ask her. She may not realize she is being a bad doggie mom. Good luck
To me sounds like that’s your dog already. Just stop contacting her I bet she won’t reach out.
Shes yours at this point 
Mayb u can suggest it to her. That u r interested to adopt her. I’m very sure she will say gladly
Ma’am, What you have right there is a case of that’s probably your dog now. 
Sounds like you guys need to be having a discussion with her
Ask her can u adopt her it’s better. So n few months time she can’t say oh ye stole dog r refusing 2 give her back. Go through right channels keep record of everything xx
if you ask her she will prob want it back. she sounds selfish id get it chipped in your name and fixed.
Keep her, spay her, and move! (Lol)
She’s already your dog. You provide care and love for her…if nothing else look at it like this…if it was something illegal 
say drugs and you were " keeping " them for her and you got caught with them YOU would get charged for having them…not her…my point…the dog is yours…Merry Christmas 
God Bless Thank You for stepping up and being a great doggie momma
I mean she said a few months and that came and went so wouldn’t it be like unclaimed property and after 30 days legally yours? If she did this to an actual business they’d of kept the dog or sold it.
Keep the puppa, I would stop making contact with her & see if she even bothers to contact you! That pup needs needs the love you are already giving it xx
Keep her at this point its abandonment.Even if by some chance she popped up to get the dog which by the way it sounds she probably wont possession is law also if you have taken the dog to the vet that is proof from the vet records that you and your family have been the ones who have had the dog and have been providing for it.Thats yall dog at this point.
It’s your dog already.
After 6 months I say she is yours 
Make it to be her idea…lead her into it. make sure you get something in writing, tell her you need it to take her to the vet! I bet she would rather anyway if you put her to the test! Tell her the dog needs some treatment…
That dog is already yours. Sorry but she has had all opportunities. If you’re attached to that baby, and you pay for it’s healthcare food etc, I see absolutely no problem with you keeping that dog
Sounds like your dog now.
Def keep her . If she wanted her that much for real she be visiting n show proper concern for that dogs health .
Keep her and cut ties with the owner .
Take the dog to the vet. Get her fixed and chipped in your name. I understand life happens but it doesn’t sound like she is working on getting into a place where she can get her dog back. After 6 months it’s mine. Sorry not sorry. She might threaten you with court or something but doubtful she’ll go through with it and after 6 months the judge would rule in your favor if you’re providing the necessary care. Stop accepting her venmo payment
In Tennessee if something has been left on your property for over 30 days it’s legally yours.
Does she have a license?
If dog doesn’t go get one then she’s Yours. Has dog resided with you for 30days after the fact of time she stated previously… keep the dog
Is she chipped ? If so is chip registered to prior owner if so you may find you cannot change to your name without her signature?
Stop accepting her money and see if she contacts you. If she’s still paying she might be able to take it back.
Also send her a letter saying if she hasn’t made contact within 7 days the dog will be finding a new owner. You.
If the dogs chipped in her name then she owns it.
Keep it, go for custody for sure!
Pay her to keep the dog. That way she won’t be tempted to take you to courts. Offer her something to take that sweet baby off her hands completely. I’m sure she’ll be happy to keep her money for more nails.
Get her to surrender the dog to you if she won’t take the dog to the pound and 7 days later adopt the dog from the pound
Look into if doggo has a chip. If not chip her.
I think you need to do whatever you can to keep the dog. It’s in the dog’s best interest and that’s what counts.
Pay her back for all dog food & get her to stop paying. Then keep her!!
Keep it or ask her straight out can you keep it, sounds like she doesn’t want it anyway
I’d tel her you can buy the food yourself now and just start cutting her off.
Ask her outright if you could keep the dog. That’s the simplest way.
Take the dog to a vet and see if its chipped. If not get it chipped and registered. If the dog is chipped ask the owner if you can have the dog or buy it from her.
Yes she’s yours now. She obviously doesn’t care.
You need to talk to her, depending on where she got the dog they may have a return clause in the adoption or purchase contract, which means if they find out the dog changes homes without contact, that they can reclaim the dog. So if you do end up keeping the dog it’s important that you establish a relationship with the rescue or breeder of origin. These clauses are done to protect the animals and make sure they don’t end up abandoned or in a bad situation.
Block her and keep the dog
Feel free to ask her! Good chance if she didn’t have to keep spending money she would be happy for you to keep her.
But if she does make sure microchip is changed to your name and you have it in writing that she’s happy for her to stay indefinitely. Don’t want her changing her mind down the track.
You can’t just keep her because u want to, you need permission to legally be her owner and it can go very pear shaped if the owner doesn’t approve
Keep it she doesn’t want it
Yes keep the dog she would be a terrible owner obviously anyway, she clearly is not responsible enough for a pet
Legally a dog is considered property and at this point may be considered abandoned. The only hard part is that she pays for food but you can’t realistically expect someone to board your dog for 6 months. Ask in text or email and keep the text/email. Stop taking the money for food. If she doesn’t respond after a month of reasonably trying to contact her in most states the dog is yours.
You’ve been accepting her money for food and the agreement was to take the dog a few months. So I’m not sure legally you can keep the dog unless she relinquishes it. I would ask her and go from there. Offer to pay back food costs.
You should have a serious talk with the girl and explain that for the betterment of the dog’s life, she needs to relinquish mental responsibility of the animal, seeing as how she already doesn’t have physical responsibility for it.
I think it’s wrong to just say “this is mine now.” Without giving her a warning.
I fostered a puppy for a girl who found out she couldn’t have her pup AFTER she got it all the way from Washington. 
we watched the dog for weeks, turning into a couple months. We watched the pup grow, corrected her food because she was 8 weeks old being fed an all ages formula, we taught her to go potty outside, and to sleep on her bed all night without a crate. And a similar situation, but she wasn’t paying for food or anything. And never came to see the dog.
So I flat told the girl that she needed to come get the dog that day or the dog would be mine from a very obvious lack of care and want to be responsible for the animal. It isn’t an easy conversation, and your heart has to be ready to let go if that’s what happens. But it has to be done. 
She came and got her puppy that day, and I haven’t seen her since. As far as I know, girl still has the dog, too.
The dog is a ‘possession’. 9/10th of the law. She’s yours. Stop contacting the chick and get the dog fixed and vetted. Vet bills in your name show ownership.
She has to surrender the dog to you - you agreed to hold the dog and she is paying you can’t really claim the dog is abandoned- if you simply tre and keep the dog - she can file a police report - just ask her to give up the dog - or tell her she needs to take it back.
Look to your state to see how long “property” needs to be abandoned before you can claim as yours then get the dog licensed in your name.
I would definitely keep it if she doesn’t keep in contact
At this point this dog is yours I believe. Stop taking the money for food and let her know that you will be keeping the dog as this agreement was for a couple months not six or more and he has now become a family pet
Send her a letter saying she has a week to get the dog or you’re going to keep her. That way it’s in writing.
Stop taking the money and stop messaging her. See if she’ll even try to contact you about the dog. It sounds like she won’t. Sounds like she wants money for the nails and hair and shit.
That puppy sounds like she’s yours already! Thanks for being a good doggie mama.
She also sounds like a petty bitch, who might want the dog back if you ask. So I’d just wait and see if she reaches out to you at all.
I think judge Judy would say it’s your dog.
I would just ask her if you can keep her.
I’m sorry but that is wrong . Would you be saying the same if you went into a homeless Shelter and left your kids with someone and they decided “just to keep them” I personally think you’ve got to attached which is normal cause of the length of time you’ve had the dog. Before you get even more attached I would text or call her & explain she’s going to have to come and get the dog because your family is getting to attached 1 she might come and get him/her 2 she might say keep him.
Most states is 5-7 days possession and then it’s considered yours unless there’s a written contract. At this point I think it would be considered your pet.
Keep the dog, but for legal matters. I would write down on a calendar when she visited and when she paid. Keep all copies of messages and responses.
BEEN THERE, DONE THAT 
Possession is 9/10 of the law sweetie- keep her young one - calculate up how much she’s paid - give it back and inform her the dog is now in her forever. Unless you have a written contract- I’d say you good.
She’s treating you as a dog sitter . Get legal advice . If you have proof of medical bills etc , i think you would have a case in keeping the dog . 6 months is a long time .
It sounds like the dog is already yours lol. She’s not coming back for it.
I would keep her or take her to court and make her pay for vet bills and taking care of her or tell her give her to you
Keep the dog
Its become attached to your family
Just keep it… and if anything comes of it … shows receipt for all the care etc. And the date if the one time e she came to see the dog in that time…and then don’t rake any more money for food etc…she clearly isn’t no more interested than the man in the moon
Go adopt her if the girl has no papers on her. My sisters neighbor did that with her Cat.
Stop accepting her money also. Just send it back.
I would stop contacting her, send any money she tries to send back and keep the dog. Keep vet bills to prove you have been caring for the dog just in case she tries to pull you took my dog.
Keep all the texts of you telling her the dog is sick & needs to see the vet etc. Keep the bills & proof of payment from the vet. Make sure she’s registered at the vet under your name. Keep receipts from everything you’ve spent on her especially city tags, vet bills etc. That way if she tries to take her back through court you can prove you have been providing for her better than she has.
Sounds like it’s Already yours! Don’t contact her, see if she contacts you!
She obviously doesn’t care about the dog…I would say the fur baby is yours
It is considered abandonment after 6 six months. So the dog is your if you want it.
It’s your dog now but as everyone else has said keep all receipts and do not accept any money she may offer from here on out. I would save her posts showing off her new stuff and nails also to prove she could’ve financially taken care of the dog but chose not to. I hope you get to keep the dog since you clearly love it more than she does
Looks like you’ve got a new dog
Keep her. She abandoned her
I would ask her. It doesn’t sound like she cares, so she’ll probably say yes.
The dog is already yours, I don’t think the owner will be coming to get her.
PLEASE KEEP THE DOG 
. The dog is happy and so is your family … obv she don’t care for or want the dog because if she did… it only takes gas in her car to go to your place and TIME would mean so much to her dog but she obv has none … that being said keep the dog and trust me I went thru this similar situation and… there are no dog laws about give n dog back as they DO NOT HAVE THE SAME RIGHTS AS KIDS … like ppl take n kids your going to jail… ppl take n dogs … no law to protect the dog owner … SO PLEASE KEEP THE DOG
Dogs are considered property for legal purposes. You need to talk to the girl before just keeping the dog. Find out what her plans are. See if she’ll let you adopt.
Have a conversation with the owner, and do it now. If the dog has already been living in your home for 6 months and your family is attached, it’s only going to get worse the longer it goes on. Technically, it’s not your dog, even though it is. Unless you have a conversation with the owner, she could show up to take the dog back at any time and there isn’t much you can do about it. Communicate through text so that you have proof in writing. I would tell her that you agreed to foster the dog for a couple months and it’s now been 6 months. Explain that you have been footing vet bills and all necessities, aside from food, for the last 6 months. She either needs to reimburse you for those expenses and come get the dog now, or agree to let you keep the dog permanently. Let her know that she can visit if she wants, but you want to officially adopt the dog.
if it is thru an agency/organization you will have to ask, If it was done privately, I would ask any of these organizations & see what you can do about keeping the dog, since she isn’t doing anything about the dog. Keep all receipts that she isn’t paying
If I’m not mistaken, Check the local laws on animal abandonment, but I believe the dog was yours after 30 days unless there was a formal contract to foster the dog. If you have receipts that you provided vet care I think that makes you the new owner. I would get her fixed, vaccinated and put the rabies certificate in your name, get her chipped and register her in your name at your address. Make a paper trail and I would add up what you have put into the dog fiscally and emotionally vs what she has paid via venmo for food. I think you see in black and white that the girl is yours…
First of all, stop accepting money for dog food for at least 2 weeks, your good after that. Dog’s yours.
PLEASE PLEASE save her!!!
Sounds like she’s already your dog.
First of all, crates aren’t a torture device. 
She’s paying you so you can’t legally just keep the dog. Talk with her about the dog & ask Animal Control about what your state laws are. If you try to keep it, some states will let her press charges for theft.
Sorry to tell you this (my family went through a situation similar to this a few years ago) but she has legal rights to the dog if she has written prove the dog is hers. (The fact that she’s making regular payments is likely proof enough). You have a legal right to be reimbursed for all necessary expenses incurred while in your care.
Keep receipts for everything: dog food, vet visits, diapers, $15 a day doggie care…,. It is all adding up. Also take pics of all social media pics of her spendatures on herself. If she wants to eventually take the dog back confront her with a bill. That dog means zip to her-with no visits or $$ for needs. You and your new fur baby are lucky to have each other. She is right where she needs to be, loved and cared for.
You should have the owner sign paperwork to transfer ownership. Let her know that you and your family are no longer able to foster the dog but would be willing to adopt the dog. If she is unwilling to allow you to adopt the dog and I would let her know she has two weeks to find another foster care arrangement.
I feel that if it has been this long that the dog belongs to you.
Sounds to me like yall saved her life!!! Keep her you have every right!!
Its a civil matter more then likely meaning cops cant do shit about it.
If it has become part of your family keep it. Get it spayed and refuse the money for its food if that’s the only thing she contributes
If she says anything let her know that although you agreed to foster the dog. She was responsible for any expense and let it go at that. Tell her you are adopting the dog and let it go like that. She more than likely will eventually just quit coming at all
30 days is the limit for any dog foster or not
Check local laws. Personally I say keep her, but you should make sure you won’t get in any legal trouble if you do.
I’d definitely keep the dog. The original owner clearly doesn’t care enough.
There are legal ways to do this and I think you absolutely should go that route. You don’t want anything you’ve done to turn around and bite you in the ass. Just come out ask her and be like we wanted to know if we could adopt the dog, we love her etc., she’s busy living her best life and that’s on her.
I did something similar but it was 2 cats. She sent nothing. After I got them spayed and their shots, she wanted them back. Seems my friend, knew I would put out the money to have them fixed. That’s all she wanted. So after six months she took them back. But at least I know they will never make kittens.
Where I’m from if a dog is in YOUR care for 6 months or longer that dog is now yours! Keep that baby! She basically abandoned that dog.