My friend has taken in a 7month old puppy, from a couple who have spilt up, this couple had 2 dogs who were not properly looked after towards the end of their marrage, they were both thin and kept getting out of the garden, the woman took one of the dogs to my friends saying she would bring the kc papers around soon and my friend is going to pay her some money for the dog. The dog was very thin when they first got it and is now looking much healthier, she has had the dog about 3 weeks.
My friend has rang this woman to ask about the kc papers and she keeps making excuses saying she'll bring them round etc but never does. My friend is now getting worried that she may come and take the dog back as she has no prove that this woman gave her the dog, does anyone know where my friend stands legialy? if this does happen.
Kayl

Has she paid for the dog yet?

No she was supposed to pay for the dog when the woman brought the kc papers around.
Kayl

If this woman comes asking for the dog back then your friend should ask for 'upkeep' for the last however long she has had it.
The woman will most likely not want to pay anything for the dogs upkeep whilst your friend has looked after it. Although this may allow your friend to keep the dog it won't guarantee that she gets the papers.
I was told that, even with a stray, the person looking after the animal is entitled to a payment for the 'keep' of the animal for the period they looked after it. You don't have to return the animal unless the payment is received.
Under your friends circumstances I would think the original owner will probably not turn up with the papers but neither will she return for the dog.
If this was a 'verbal' agreement with the original owner it would cost an awful lot to prove there was an agreement at all. Your friend will most likely end up with a lovely pet with no jpapers. Would this be a problem?? Or was she hoping to show/breed the dog?? Which wouldn't be advisable if it had been neglected in the manner you suggest.

Hi D4wn
No not having the kc papers would not be a problem as my friend does not intend to show or breed from the dog, I think she is thinking on the lines of if she had the papers then she would feel she now owned the dog and the woman would have no claim on the dog, I dont know if it works like that or not?
It was a verbal agreement that the woman  would bring the papers around then payment would be made but as the woman keeps making excuses about being to busy to take the papers around my friend is now wondering if she is going to ask for the dog back when she finds somewhere new to live, this woman is staying with her parents at the moment. My friend didn't think to get anything in writing when this woman brought the dog around to my friends house.
I wondered if my friend took the money to this womans work and got her to sign a receit for it surly this would be enough to put my friends mind at rest? thats if the woman signs if course! she works in shop in our town although she no longer lives around here she would be able to go into her work.
My friend has grown really fond of the dog and would be quite upset if the woman came and took the dog back, my friend hates confrontation and proberbly would not argue the case with the woman if she does want the dog back. I personaly would have alot to say to this woman if I saw her about how the dog had not been looked after properly etc. and would go around my friends right away if this happened to back her up!! In my opinion people like that dont deserve to own dogs. I have heard an awful lot about this couple and how they neglected their dogs not from my friend but from other people that live near where this couple lived, they have even been reported to the RSPCA in the past.
I feel sorry for my friend at the moment she is really worrying about all this.
thanks
Kayl

I would suggest your friend drafts up a letter about the dog & sends it by recorded delivery very politely giving the previous owner a time limit for handing the KC papers over in & for any money to be paid, & then she could work out how much it would have cost to keep the dog in the best kennels around & double it as the dog has had one to one care. When the time limit expires & there has been no contact then another letter with a total of what could have been spent keeping the dog in kennels with one to one care & advise the previous owner that no money is now due as the care costs exceed the agreed price of the dog

I know here the best kennels care over £10 a day for normal boarding ! & a lot more for extra time spent with the dog wlking & playing etc It very soon adds up

Very good idea moonmaiden!!! Thankyou!
She has already had the dog for over 2 weeks so theres at least £150.
I will suggest this to my friend right away!

Thanks again
Kayl

yep i was going to suggest the same . normaly id say get who ever to sign over the dog on what ever terms you had agreed at the time of taking the dog but moons suggestion is good since it would be hard getting them to do this when there not prepared to give you the kc docs . mabe the dog isent kc reg ?

I agree with the advise given so far. A letter would either give the original owner a 'shove' or at least give her the option of contacting your friend. Then with the second letter, if there were no contact, the dog would become the property of your friend.
As to 'kenneling' costs. My bitch cost me £16 per day as she is a Mastiff and I live in an area where costs are generally lower than other places.
I'm pleased your friend isn't too worried about 'papers' as this shows, to me anyway, that she has the dogs welfare at heart above all else.
what breed is she/he??