To not pay the charity?

[helpmeout6]

Name changed as outing.

I adopted a rescue dog through a charity 18 months ago, she's the love of my life. I now volunteer weekly for the charity to help where I can.

From the same woman, who had moved to a different charity, a middle aged dog was available after her family backed out. I was told that the family had backed out whilst she was en route to UK (from a European country with a bad rep for dog treatment). They would have had to pay her costs to have her on the plane, I know this as the set up is the same as the charity I volunteer for and had all the training for.
The dog went to emergency foster in UK and I felt a connection so agreed to adopt. The dog came and it's been tough but we will persevere.
Almost 2 weeks after having her I get a text from the woman saying my outstanding fee is due, it's in the hundreds, the fee to fly the dog from the country.

I don't think I should have to pay because

1. I asked about a fee and it was never responded to or mentioned again
2. I didn't get the dog from abroad, I got her from the UK
3. if we had been told about the fee we wouldn't have adopted. Partly we can't afford it (DH has lost 1/3 of his income due to C19) and also we took the dog in as she is less desirable than a puppy so I knew demand for her was small, she needs a lot of vet treatment and also I wanted to give her a good rest of life.

So who is in the wrong?
I feel guilt as it's a charity but I do my part for the charity and it's not like I'm trying to get a free dog I just don't think it's been arranged well.

I'd reply with the points you've listed here.

Ditto

Are you sure the text is genuinely from the person you've dealt with? This has 'scam' written all over it.

Definitely them, she's messaging on WhatsApp and is the same number etc

I think the charity has affordability issues and sees me as soft
I've already listed the points but she said there's just been a misunderstanding

What would they have done if you hadn't stepped in to adopt what sounds like a challenging dog? I agree with pps, you shouldn't be paying.

None of this was mentioned up front, we love the dog but couldn't have afforded her if you'd told us about these fees. |

Would you like her back? If so, please arrange it.

Next time inform possible adoptees up front. It saves all this misunderstanding.

no way would i be paying this, she backed out and this does sound iffy anyway.

Absolutely you are not being unreasonable!

Let me get this straight. They want YOU to pay for airplane costs even though you weren't having her flown anywhere, and she didn't even fly anywhere?

Don't pay them a penny. Is this woman trustworthy? I'd worry she is working outside of the charity and trying to hustle not side-hustle some money out of you.

meant to ask is anything in writing or is it just verbal ? i'd keep screen shorts though just in case

*shots ! ffs

Maybe the people who backed out didn’t actually pay?
The thing is you have the dog. If you can’t afford bills then maybe returning it is the right thing.
Crap for the dog though.
And another reason I hate the bring a dog from abroad and rehome to people who haven’t even met it.

I've heard of this exact scam ALL the time! I realise you work there and don't think it is though.

I'd go with the suggestions already given. Fees were not mentioned up front, even when you asked, and if they press the point, advise you will regrettably be returning the dog on x date.

My cousin once adopted a dog and they did some treatment on the dog (a operation) before the adoption but never mentioned it... 3 months later she received a vet bill for £1400 she never paid.

She wouldnt have chosen that dog if she knew it would cost her an extra £1400!! She gave a donation of £500 to the rescue and bought the dog tons of stuff worth about £250 and loved the dog but called theire bluff.

Given the dog back, you cant afford it

@wolfiefan the dog can't get on the transport without a home to go to under the UK law, so they had to have paid the fee - it's standard.

I didn't adopt her from abroad I got her from London technically...

She's also not a puppy who is desirable, she's an old girl who needs a home!

I currently wouldn't even have qualms giving the dog back as it's currently going badly but I know we will be a good home for her.

It moves past affordability because we probably could pay, we don't have kids so it's not like we are sacrificing anything here, but it's principle, I feel like they're trying to blindside me and play on the fact I am very giving to the charity already.

The girl is definitely a good hearted person I think - although she and a few others left the other charity I volunteer for to start their own and I know it came from a bad place, so there's some gossip I don't know!

I'd refuse and invite them to issue proceedings for breach of contract if they really think you've broken the agreement.

@iral we already pay £100 a month for her insurance (best policy, pre existing conditions), we give them the best food, pay for dog walkers and sitters when we work, we have money but just not this random few hundred quid especially not when I'm supporting my parents (terminally ill) and we are taking a hit right now.

If she doesn't respond to reason, call her bluff and tell her you'll return the dog (obviously don't actually return the dog).

I absolutely wouldn't be paying the fees.

It’s dodgy as hell.
But you don’t know for sure the people who were supposed to adopt her paid in full.
Another reason not to rehome like this. So many U.K. dogs need homes.

If there was a fee running to hundreds of pounds it should have been clearly communicated and agreed at the outset.

Respond explaining you had not agreed to or anticipated a fee.

Don’t pay . She’s appealing to your kindness.

I work in rescue and always advise against foreign rescues as the majority seem very poorly run.
In this instance they are chancing it, the dog came over to a pre arranged home who I’ll assume should have paid the adoption/travel costs and now they’ve backed out hey are trying to get the money from you.
I would point out that you are paying very expensive insurance and cannot a afford the fee, a decent rescue would weigh this up as you’ve provided a great home and reduce the adoption fee, I think something should be paid.

She's appealing to your gullibility more like. Leaving aside the dodginess of importing an old dog into the UK when there's already so many in the UK needing homes....they should have told you before you agreed to adopt the dog that they wanted you to pay those fees. They didn't, so tough shit to them, you owe them nothing. Refuse to pay one penny more. Block them if they persist.

Come on, good heart or not you're being taken for a ride here