Query
I’m a part of a 501 c3 that positioned a nursing mother and 5 kittens into foster in Fairfax county Virginia. Sadly we didn’t have a foster settlement signed; she accomplished a foster interview, have quite a few textual content messages going backwards and forwards, and was frequently reimbursed for meals. She even utilized to undertake one of many kittens. Now she is refusing to return any of the cats and kittens. Have you learnt if we have now any authorized standing?
District of Columbia, USA
Reply
Individuals and organizations that consider their animals are being wrongfully withheld can sue to attempt to get the animals returned. A foster settlement ought to clearly delineate rights, obligations, and treatments for non-compliance.
Be aware that Virginia legislation regarding foster agreements states, partially: “No non-public animal shelter shall place a companion animal in a foster dwelling with a foster care supplier until the foster care supplier has learn and signed a press release specifying that he has by no means been convicted of animal cruelty, neglect, or abandonment, and the shelter shall replace the assertion as modifications happen…”
If a lawsuit is commenced, the court docket will overview the proof introduced, which can embody things like the written foster settlement (when there may be one as there needs to be) and different proof that demonstrates the animals had been fostered. Time is of the essence since after animals are rehomed it turns into far more tough to get the animals returned.
The police may also be contacted, though the police don’t often intervene in animal custody disputes. I hope that your group and the foster “dad or mum” can extra amicably resolve this matter in the most effective pursuits of the cats.
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