Hi,

I have an awkward situation that I need some advice with.

Earlier this year I moved to the Netherlands, and 2 friends came with me. They are the owners of a lovely pedegree golden retriever.

However, they have since gone back the the UK and have left me with the dog. As I'm out of the house 10 hours each day, I cannot look after a dog.

2 months have now passed, and they are still 'Trying to save the money' to come and get her. But I know full well that they will never get the money together, and that I'll be with the dog forever.

Ok now the problem. I've found a perfect new home for her, with a police officer and his family. They've 2 kids, live near a big field and his wife is home all day every day. The dog would be so happy with them there.

I'd like to give the dog to this new family, but she's registered to my friends back in the UK. They say they're coming for her, and will never allow me to change the ownership to someone else as they do want to keep her.... they just expect me to magically look after her on my own until they get here (Which theres no plans or dates for).

A pet transport company want 600 quid which they cant afford to pay.

I have all the papers, passport, medical records and everything for the dog. But the microchip and papers are all in my friend's name still.

Please can someone tell me how I can legally go about getting everything changed over for the new owners? 2 months is long enough to wait I think, and as far as I'm concerned the dog has become a stray now.

Hope you can help.

Thanks
~Matt

Hi Matt, I think you are going to have to give the owners a sharp ultimatum. "Take the dog home or I will re-home it"! And give your friends a time limit to do it in. It is very unfair to leave the dog all this time every day. You are not doing the dog any favours by keeping it in your home. It must be lonely and unhappy.
Write them a letter telling them of your intentions and then act on it. I think they are taking advantage of your good nature.
Good luck.

Hi, thanks for your reply.

I gave them an ultimatum after the first month. Another 5 weeks went by. Then they had a deadline of 21st December as I was supposed to go on holiday for xmas. I ended up staying home alone whilst everyone else went on holiday.

This was the final straw as I'm sure you can imagine. I can't even get in touch with them anymore as I have no address for them, they have no phone number I know of, and they're not responding to my emails etc.

I can now advise that I've found a great home for this great dog, a family with 2 children and a mother who is home almost all day. There's always someone home, and the young children just love having a dog. They've even sent me a nice card that they made for me at school!

But now I still have the problem.... how do I legally change the ownership, given that I have all the papers and passport, without the owner's consent?

Thanks again for taking the time to reply. All your advice is much appreciated

If you cannot get in contact with them, neither can anyone else, re-register the dog with the new company and state the facts that the owners have abandonded this loverly dog and you are in no position to care for it. Maybe your local RSPCA inspector or dog warden can offer support and advice.