RSPCA adoptions

[snodhutch]

The RSPCA had a bird in its care for over 2 weeks. We have rehomed it and have now had it for over 3 weeks. The RSPCA have now phoned us and said someone has come forward and said they have lost their bird however they have no proof of ownership. We have paid for this bird and completed all the necessary paperwork and the RSPCA kept it in their care for more than the required time. Surely we are now the legal owners. Can anyone advise us of our rights please

[boxtops]

This is a really difficult one. My cat has been missing for five months, and I wonder how I would feel if someone else took him to the vet and the microchip revealed he was ours. If they have taken him in and love him and he's happy, I'd be in the same position. You'd need to be sure that it is their bird - you never know, they might have been on holiday or away on business so couldn't come forward within the specified time.

[snodhutch]

the rspca have told us that they have only just decided to come to them after their bird had been missing for 6 weeks. the rspca is very local to both of us and when we have lost or found pets our first port of call is always the rspca

[maclarencat]

I think when you take an animal from the RSPCA you sign toi say that the animal remains their property and you are fostering. In most cases this is purely acedemic but I think it may apply in this instance. I know when we got our dog from the local rehoming kennel we had to sign to that effect even though we paid about £150 for her

[Bambiagain]

I know you've paid for the bird, but put yourself in the shoes of the person who has lost it. I've never had a bird, but I have had dogs and cats for a long time. If one of them went missing for a few weeks and I eventually found that someone had bought it - in all good faith - this would still be the animal I have loved and cared (and has cost me a lot of money, purchase price aside) for over a period of maybe years and I would be devastated if someone else came along and said they wouldn't give it back after a short time. My animals are chipped so it's more clear cut, but we're not talking about a stolen car or television here but a living creature that no doubt the original owners had and still have an emotional attachment to. Maybe the RSPCA is not local to these people, and it has only just occurred to them to extend their search to them. Five or six weeks is not really all that long.

[welshlibranr]

Not sure here, but I think that when you adopt an animal or bird from the RSPCA, it's only like fostering really, they still own the animal/bird forever, and if thats the case, they still own the bird, and can decide on it's future!......

[bednobs]

same with dog's trust (ok i kn0w it dosent do birds)
Anyway, if you die, or can't look after the dog, it has to go back to them