to be annoyed about this situation with neighbour and her dog?

I thought that. Have never been in this position myself, but aren't they private businesses that could just tell her to sod off?

Oh, phew. I'm unreasonably worried about this dog. I'd take it myself if I wasn't in Scotland.

I doubt the vet would take him? They don’t board animals unless they are unwell. I am assuming that you don’t wish for them to put the dog to sleep, as that’s surely all they can do?

Totally agree you can’t keep him or miss your holiday, but you need to take him to a rescue not to the vets. Can you also contact the person who told you to leave the neighbour alone to explain the situation and that you’ll be going to the rescue if alternative plans aren’t sorted?

Haven’t read the full thread, only OP’s posts.
OP can you give an approximate location?
There might be someone on here willing to look after the dog.
Yes I know it’s not your responsibility, etc but I am thinking of the poor dog who is in the middle of this and probably feeling quite bewildered already.

Very invested in this now OP; please update when you go on holiday!
The relationship with your neighbour is ruined now btw, but that’s not your fault.

You can not force someone to look after a dog. That is preposterous.

Vet or dog warden and say the dog has been abandoned. Because it has.

Maybe it’s different in different places but my local vet does accept pets that need to be reunited. They do surgery so have overnight kennels out the back. I’m not sure if they would if OP explained the exact situation, but if she had found the dog wandering the street and didn’t know who it belonged to and was going on holiday that day…

The vet isn't going to PTS.

They will hold until the dog warden collects and holds for a minimum of 7 days.

Then the owner pays a fee or the dog goes to rescue if it is rehomable or PTS if not.

OP can’t hand the dog over to a random internet stranger! It’s a kind thought but really not safe

The rspca 100% will not help. Abandonment is if an animal is suffering of likely to suffer if circumstances don’t change. This dog has been left in the loving care of a neighbour. And if you threaten to let it go etc (not that I’m suggesting you are) then you’d be at fault, not owner. It’s not a vet’s job either.
I’d try dog warden but that’s a risk as if the owner doesn’t make contact there is a risk of pts although not for at least 28 days, probably more and depends what area you’re in and what the stray problem is like etc.
I think realistically partial payment upfront at kennels is the most sensible and humane decision. Albeit you risk losing your money.

She can. I agree it isn't wise, but she has no responsibility for the dog.

Wow, no good dead goes unpunished does it.

No one does this, family death or not. I don't know if vets take abandoned animals?

I would be looking at rspca,letting her know and giving the charity her contact details, and letting them know hopefully it is temporary whilst she's grieving. In that situation they're not going to rehome the dog in a few weeks when I'm sure they've got plenty of other dogs.

She has been incredibly kind, helping book the flight and taking in her dog.

Why are you so sure OP will get her money back. The neighbour can’t even be assed to reply to her message, let alone think of her own dog.

I have lost my parents but I didn’t shirk my responsibilities at home.

Sorry OP. You’ve been very kind but time to think of yourself now. You made it very clear what the expectation was. I would ring her, or the family member and make it clear once more. You are away today so you’ll be dropping the dog at the vets.

Do not pay for kennels OP. This is not your responsibility.

That's IF the vet will take it.

No you cannot force someone to look after your property but in this case OP did agree to look after it and this is where it could get legally difficult about how and when you are giving the property (in this case a living animal) to someone else and how and when you have warned the owner of this. OP best speaking to dogs trust or similar.

I'd probably pay for the kennels if I could afford it, but I'm a soft touch. I'd definitely resent it.

I think OP is right - Vets is straightforward option or Kennels if owner provides payment details. Also agree that phoning may be better - either to owner or protective relative. Say you need an answer by 1pm maybe.
It is a simple binary choice for the owner - so completely reasonable (and much more reasonable than they have been).
I understand people are suggesting Cinnamon Trust - but OPis going on holiday this evening and will have too much to do to try and sort that. OP could suggest Cinnamon Trust to the owner for them to explore as an option.

Dreadful situation OP, but please don't just leave the dog in the neighbours garden or house (if you have the key). That would be cruel. The dog cannot be left to fend for itself.
The dog warden may be your best chance.

It’s a sad situation but not your responsibility. Our kennels do payment on collection so I’d drop there and give her contact details to them. But if that’s not an option I guess you would have to drop at a rescue or vets.

The vets most likely won't take it if it's being looked after. They're more likely to reluctantly take it in if they think it's been found.

The OP is being far from harsh.

I honestly can't imagine not thinking of my dog, even in these circumstances. You just pull yourself together and do it. The dog depends on you. This is awful.

She can in a literal sense but I think there is much more risk of the owner never getting the dog back or it being mistreated with an internet stranger. Plus there is the admin of arranging it. I agree she doesn’t have responsibility but someone with a professional duty towards dogs is better I think. Even if she just drops the dog off and runs away

Why is everyone suggesting vets? The vets is for illness, vaccinations etc. It's not an abandoned dog drop off point!

PP is correct that boarding kennels need the vaccination book, and all vaccinations need to be up to date. (not all owners do this and the kennels won't take the dog if not)

I wonder if she was looking to offload the dog anyway, and this is a good excuse. Even with the death of a family member I would never offload my dogs, ignore phone calls etc like this. I would lean on my dogs for comfort, in fact.

Contact the RSPCA or report it as stray - https://www.gov.uk/report-stray-dog

Good luck and I hope the dog is OK, above all. Your neighbour is very cruel and I hope the dog finds another, loving home.