I volunteer for a dog rescue and have recently run into a problem.  We adopted out two dogs, the contract signed by person adopting them states that he was adopting two dogs.  He wanted to return one because the dog has eye issues where she has to take eye drops (he knew this before adopting).  He was supposed to return both dogs and has only returned one dog to the rescue.  Do we have a legal leg to stand on in getting the other dog returned.  They are a bonded pair, life partners. 

I don't have a clue where you would stand legaly, I would THINK if it was a signed contract for the reasons of them being life parteners you would have a very good case. I would also have thought that pre all signings from a dog rescue that they would have already been endorsed by a solicitor anyway, so I would be surprised if it is not legally binding.  I would also think that the longer he has the dog, the harder to get it back.  Maybe a few of the rescue operators can give his door a knock overseen by a police offier incase of any unfriendlyness and demand the return of the dog immediately, if he wishes to persue things legally let him do so, but at least the two dogs would still be together whilst the legalities are going on. Court cases can take forever and the dogs could be seperated for months and months.  Whatever you do, do not return the other to him, he has shown no love for this dog.  I would demand the other back! It would probably be the end of things then.

When my Mum rescued her dog, it was under the conditions that legally the dog would always belong to the them, and they could take him back at any time. Not sure how it would stand up in a court of law, but if they have signed a contract, and its definitivein its wording then take things further.

Good Luck

Friends of mine adopted a beautiful dog last year. However, the contract for adoption stated quite clearly that the rescue would continue to OWN him and that seems like a fairly standard condition in rescues round here. If that is the case in your adoption contracts then in theory you could go round and collect him. In practice, of course, things probably won't be as straightforward.