OK folks I have a bit of a problem .... last summer we sold a bitch puppy to what appeared to be the ideal home - her new owners already had two dogs both of a lively pastoral breed ,they lived on a smallholding in the countryside,the wife was at home all day and they wanted to show their new pup. As they lived only a few miles away I would see them regularly at the shows and they came over a few times for BBQs etc and to all intents and purposes everything seemed fine. They loved their new pup, and she did quite well in the showring winning lots of BP's and a couple of groups too. They were so smitten with the breed that they had already booked a dog puppy from a well respected breeder and I felt happy to reccommend them as an excellent home and I felt totally happy about the pups future with them. Two weeks ago I got a phone call from the husband to say that  they were getting divorced and he had arrived home to find that she had packed and left leaving all the animals to him ( 3 dogs, 2 horses, @ 40 chickens/ducks etc, a parrot etc).

Last night he called again to say that he could not cope and could we take the pup back ( now 13 months old) apparently he has to crate her ALL DAY !!! as she chews things up in his absence - he got home at 8 pm last night . I am horrified and of course we are collecting her tomorrow. I already have someone wanting to take her on - a very experienced obedience home - who would be able to collect her from us on the Sunday BUT the dog is in joint names and neither the husband or ourselves have  been able to get in touch with the wife to get her permission to rehome her - she appears to have just vanished !. Does anyone know where we stand if we go ahead with the rehoming ?. From the bitch's point of view it would be so much better if she could go to her new home directly before she settles in with us and then has to move again later . What should we do ?

Yvonne

Golly I do sympathise.  I once had a 6 month old puppy back from a broken relationship.  I explained the situation to the 'perfect' couple being interviewed to take her and threw in "And so I now have to add to my list of questions 'Are either of you planning to run away with the cleaner or milkman in the foreseable future?' " with a laugh, to which they both laughed with me and replied "Of course not!  We've been married for over 20 years."  I had a call in 6 months time from the man to say that his wife had left after and he couldn't cope.  The bitch is now settled in her 3rd home.  I just don't know what more we can do in this day and age?

It was some years ago, but then the kennel club insisted on both signatures before they would transfer ownership.  The lady in the 2nd home did try to use the dog in the 'property settlement' but lost interest a few months down the line when the new boyfriend emerged, and the paperwork was eventually sorted but it was a worry at the time.  I hope that it works out for your girl too.:)

if you explain the situation to the KC they maight be able to except the one signature, i know that petlog (run by KC) does have a bit on their forms that if previous owner is not available to send covering letter with new owners details on the completed form

tanya

I wonder if you could say that she is being fostered by the new owners. She could still be shown but with them as handlers if they want to continue showing her.  Just a thought. :-)

Oh poor dog. :( So glad you've found a home already. No advice I'm afraid as I have no experience here, but I'm keeping my fingers crossed for everything to work out.

surely if she has abandoned this dog it can go to whoever wants it?

I would get the husband to sign a letter saying that his wife was uncontactable and for the welfare of the dog he was taking responsibility and signing her over to you :)

I think ChloeH's idea is very sensible.  I have a friend with a bearded collie who got her dog from the breeder after it had been returned to her.  She had the most horrendous problems when the owner decided to contact the breeder to get the dog back (the dog had not been looked after properly and had many problems) The breeder was taken to court but luckily it eventually got cleared up but I ceratinly wouldn't take any chances.  Get as much information and certainly get a signed letter singing him over to you. At least then you would have more in your favour than against.

It's a difficult one this, although I agree entirely that the dog could not stay where she was, it would have been cruel and back you 100% for taking the dog back, to be  honest that is as far as I personally would have gone, I would not have re-homed the dog yet.

This dog is in joint ownership of two people, to be honest even if the guy's name was the only one on the KC registration, it does not prove ownership and the KC will tell you as much yourself, a court of law is the only place that will award a dog to one person or another, many dogs have gone through the court system for this reason. A new KC registration is the least of your worries.

Yes, the wife has left, has she left for good though?  Will she return in a few weeks for the dog/s?  Did she just want to make the husband suffer for a while and left him to cope?  Has the husband had any information from the wife that she does not want the dog/s anymore? Has the husband been honest, could he be being spiteful in getting rid of the dogs? How do you know everything you have been told is truthful?

I would be worried, she has signed nothing, said nothing to you or her husband, apparantely no contact at all.

The husband can not re-home this dog legally without some legal authority or unless from his wife's say so.

She may well return in a months time and demand this dog back. It is a mess.

I know you have acted on your heart, but legally this is all wrong, it could all blow up in your face. I hope that the wife does not give a hoot, but what if she does?

Keep on at the husband, you need that signed acknowledgement from her that she no longer wants the dog.  I would also be prepared to tell the new owners that the dog may have to come back, the dog would have been ok with you, you are the breeder and are caring for her whilst the husband can not cope, but you don't know for sure yet if the dog needs a new owner.

Sorry to be so pesimistic, but I have seen a few couples in court over dog ownership, I just feel it all a little premature for re-homing.

I have my fingers crossed all will end up well and good.

P.S. Sorry!!!  Just re-read your post, you have not re-homed her yet, please don't until everything is signed, sealed and delivered. :-)

About ownership, a couple I sold a pup to is in the process of divorce and here BOTH want the dog. She is in joint names too. Here I have been asked which one of them actually paid me, as apparently that will be the person with the biggest right to her.

Yvonne,  If the wife truly has disappeared without contact and can not be found, (though that is strange in itself Um I won't listen to my suspicious head.) then the husband can go to the Citizens Advice, there are time limits on these things and then he can re-home their dog/s or whatever other animals, or if he truly knows somehow she will not be coming back for them.

Well the wee grey girl is now home with us ( husband signed all the paperwork to transfer her ) and I was amazed at how readily my pack accepted her - I knew that the boys would greet her with open arms ( well paws then :D) but wondered about my top bitch Lola who is an Essex girl and quite likely to say " Oy wot you lookin at - BITCH ! " but they've all been fine - lots of sniffs and a bit of parading around with toys in front of her by Lola " MY toys, MY mum, etc....." but no arguements. Of course we will not leave them unobserved and she will have to go in the kennels when we are not around but it all went much more smoothly than we had thought - she is stretched out on the sofa next to 'Mad Max' at the moment and snoozing away as if she's been here all her life :)

Then this afternoon I had a phone call from the wife who was in floods of tears and begging me not to rehome her dog. She is in a womens refuge in SCOTLAND ! - poor woman is distraught at leaving her animals and is desperate to get them back. So we will be hanging on to her girl for as long as she needs to get herself sorted out with suitable accommodation and she will then be reunited again with her 'mum'.  The only thing I have left to do is to phone the person who wanted to give her a home and explain things - I know she will be disappointed as she was hoping to come tomorrow to collect her but perhaps she might be interested in something on BSD rescue instead.

These kinds of situations really bring home to you the responsibilities involved in breeding - the unexpected can happen quite out of the blue and we have to be prepared to pick up the pieces when it affects our pups !.

Yvonne

Firstly, so pleased that you have the young lady back home with you, and that she is accepted particularly by the head bitch.

Thank goodness she has a good home with people who have the time, it is definitely an insight into our responsibilities as breeders and unfortunately not uncommon, but glad to hear you are one of the good guys. (Gals :-D)

I am over the moon that the wife has contacted you, and after this event, isn't it great that the hubby has signed all the papers, now he can not start a tug of war with the dog and she will outrightly belong to the wife.

Things must have been bad for her to go to a refuge, bless you for giving her the time to sort herself out again, I'm sure she will be eternally greatful for your kindness.

Wishing you all the best. :-)

Just goes to show that there are two sides to every story eh? ;) :)

That was a turn up for the books -so glad she got hold of you in time. I know I stayed in my previous marriage years and years longer than I should have because I couldn't get away with the animals and couldn't face leaving them so I can imagine what this poor woman must have been going through.

For anyone in such a sad situation - try the Dog's Trust. They have a special policy to help people who have to escape to a refuge. They will look after your dog's for you until such a time as you are able to have them back or, if you are unable to keep your dogs they will help rehome them.

At a recent course I attended about domestic violence the course tutor was urging everyone to spread the word about this scheme because, as Goldmali has explained, people will often stay in an abusive relationship because they see no way of leaving it and being able to take their animals with them. The DogsTrust website explains more about this scheme - and your dogs will NOT be rehomed without your permission - they are just fostered and looked after until such times as your personal circumstances allow you to be re-united again.

Gosh, what a mess. Hope it's all going to be sorted properly now - poor you and poor dog!

Yvonne.....do you think it  would be wise to get admin to adjust your post....you really should not disclose the whereabouts of this lady on the net, even if it is only vague. I wouldnt like to think her husband could start tracking her down

Gosh - did'nt think of that - don't think he'll be looking on this forum though - but it is a good point....

just to add that yesterday we went to a comapanion show and took our little 'lodger' along - she was a darling with everyone and won non - sporting and then went on to win Best in Show :D - her mum was delighted when I told her - I've saved the rosettes and prizes so that she can take them with her when she returns to her family.

Got to put her in the kennels this morning while I'm at work - don't think she'll like that too much as she has never been kennelled but I can't risk letting her run free in the dog yard with the other bitches unsupervised. I'll dash home at lunch time to check on things and let her out for a quick gallop round the paddock.

Yvonne

Yvonne, have been following this thread, and I am so pleased everything is all working out....

I hope your lady finds the peace she seeks, and what a wonderful start to her (hopefully) better life... :)

Congrats to the 'lodger' :D

Aw how lovely and how wonderful for the owner -sounds like she needs cheering up for sure!