Humane Society wants me to pay a fee.

Question

My cat was brought to The Humane Society (he escaped in the morning and someone brought him in) and they are now trying to charge me $80 to get him back. They dewormed him, and gave him flee treatment (that’s why they want to charge me), but they did not have my permission to do so, and I can’t afford to buy him back. Is there anything I can do?

Answer

Paying impoundment fees is generally the most expedient course of action a pet parent can take to ensure an animal won’t be re-homed or euthanized. Pet parents who believe they were overcharged or unjustly charged can try to recoup the money later, either through negotiations or a lawsuit. Consider that the shelter would not have taken the action it did (de-worming and flea treatment) if your cat didn’t need it. You are lucky the shelter got the cat. So often, lost cats are never found.

PLEASE NOTE: Responses to legal inquiries are not meant to replace seeking legal advice from an attorney in your state. The materials in this website and any responses to questions are for informational purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed, as legal advice. This website, the information contained herein, and any responses to questions directed to this column are not intended to create and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely or act upon any information provided on this website or in any response to your inquiry without seeking the advice of an attorney in your state regarding the facts of your specific situation.

Send Your Pet Legal Question Now!

Elinor will field as many questions as she can and they will be posted here on this site. Due to the volume of questions received, not all questions are answered. However, many individuals have similar questions. You may find helpful information in the categories listed below.

Ask a Legal Question

By |2019-07-17T13:18:28-04:00July 17th, 2019|

Share This:

Go to Top