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

[CantGetBackToSleep]

I’m lying awake because I don’t know what to do about this situation.

On Sunday our neighbour came to see us visibly upset. Her mum had been taken into hospital and she had been told to get there asap. Her mum lives in Scotland and we are in the South of England so she was panicking about getting there on time and also about who would look after her dog. We helped her book a flight as she was in a state shaking and in no state to think properly. She asked if we could have her dog for a few days. Reluctantly we agreed but said we were leaving to go on holiday on Friday evening so she would need to make other arrangements by Friday morning for him. We went and collected the dog and he has been with us since. We have our own dogs and they are all getting on well.

Our neighbour text me on Monday to say her mum had died. We had a brief text conversation and obviously I said how sorry I was to hear about her mum.

I text her on Wednesday morning to say that I know she has a lot to deal with but we really need to know what she’s doing about her dog as we are due to go away. I didn’t hear anything so I text her again yesterday to ask what she wanted us to do with the dog and got a text from another of her relatives from her phone saying our neighbour is very upset and isn’t in the right place to sort this out. I replied to say I understood but that when we agreed to have the dog, it was on the condition that she made other arrangements for the dog by Friday morning as we are due to go on holiday. I didn’t get a reply. I tried to call last night but it went to voicemail. I had already called our nearest boarding kennels who do have space so I told her on the voicemail that I could drop him at kennels but she needs to give them her payment details. I still haven’t had a reply from my neighbour.

What do we do? I’ve asked other neighbours and they won’t have him. My parents are having our dogs while we are away but are not willing to take the neighbours dog as well.

A friend has suggested I drop him at our local vets which is the vet my neighbour uses but I don’t think they would be ok with that. Another friend said if it comes to it to call the rspca, explain the situation and say he’s basically been abandoned.

I’m so stressed. I know my neighbour has lost her mum but we are not missing our holiday.

I'd just call dog warden, report him abandoned and then it's her problem.

Personally, I'd put it in kennels and expect her to pay me back. If you drop it at a shelter it potentially only has 7 days before being put to sleep - hardly fair on the dog. And when your neighbour is back in her right mind, she will hate you for it. You will probably find most reputable rescues won't take it as they are focused on at-risk dogs and this one is not technically at risk while you have it. I have spent a lot of my life in dog rescue, so I know they all vary, but these are some general points to consider. I hope you get it sorted and enjoy your holiday. x

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A woman who is refusing to engage is quite probably not going to pay back the OP and - as others have said - the kennels probably won't take a dog without a vaccination record.

It's not the OP who has put the dog in jeopardy and the OP cannot afford to lose the thousands she has already paid for her holiday.

You could offer to pay the kennel fees and then get the money back.

What is dog like? If it is well behaved, not a barker (live in a flat) and won't want to eat my parrot and if you live in London or close to, I am actually planning to try to rehome a dog in September so would take it now if it can be left for a few hours (have a week's work in early September). If its only alternative is dog warden and death.

I presume the OP is sorting things out, I would get in touch with the relative again and ask them for help?

OP doesn't own the dog, so can't just give it to some random on the internet. Pretty sure she's getting ready for her holiday as well as taking her neighbour's now abandoned dog to somewhere safe.

Oh yes they are! I’ve lost count of the number of dogs my DH has picked up-roaming, at the scene of a sudden death etc. They get placed in kennels and the police pay-including (at least in our county) suspect xls that have been confiscated.

Anyway, I echo Cinammon Trust or advice I read on here recently-run into the vet, say ‘Found this dog’ run out again. 🤣 Possibly an absolute last resort. Maybe Borrow my Doggy?

So sorry for this poor dog and the predicament you're in. Is there a Dogs Trust shelter nearby that could take the dog? I have been watching the tv programmes about them after the recent loss of my own little Westie. Their shelters are wonderful for taking in dogs whose owners can no longer keep them. Even if not nearby it could be worth contacting them, the programmes have shown some animals being brought in from quite a distance

I’m so very sorry for your loss. Sending strength. 🤍

I don't think you can surrender someone else's dog.

There are some really complicated suggestions on here when the dog warden literally exists to take abandoned dogs. OP is going on holiday she doesn't need to be running around all day.

Of course the police will pick up a roaming dog but not one that is at someone’s house already, regardless of why they’re there!

If you can make contact with someone in the family to pay there is an app called Rover that will list dog sitters and boarders in your area. If it’s in their home and they don’t have other dogs I’m guessing they won’t care about vaccination certificate. In our area they charge from around £35 per night upwards.

She's a shit dog owner if she can't get her act together to transfer you a couple of hundred quid for kennels. I would be taking the dog to a rehoming charity.

Do you have any friends who could help out until you’re back, or a neighbourhood facebook page, you never know, someone might volunteer. Shocking situation, she really doesn’t deserve to have her dog back.

Well, better than it ending up being put down by dog warden. The owner has shirked all responsibility and abandoned her dog, so does not deserve to be considered. I hope someone better does end up with it. Poor dog. (Also, this random is a respectable dog-experienced person).

I would take the dog back to her backyard, make sure it has food/water for 2 days and text relative who responded to you with a picture of dog in the yard saying due to non-resolution and you having to leave, you had no choice. I’m guaranteeing something will be sorted pronto.

This person is not a responsible dog owner, your responsibilities to an animal don't stop regardless of what else is going on in your life. She is clearly deliberately ignoring your texts and calls. Take the dog to the vets and leave it there and let the owner sort it out with them and go and enjoy your holiday.

Has she even sent a message to check up on the dog?

This is all very unfortunate, and illustrates once again that a dog 'is not a family member', no matter what people say about their pets.

I mean, this neighbour might have left a child with a willing neighbour they knew well, like the OP, but would not then have abandoned the child after her mother passed away, and refused to answer calls.

Poor dog- that woman should not have a dog. Sad that her mother died, but she still has responsibilities. I'd drop him off at the dogs trust.

I don’t think the vet will take it. I would tell the owner it’s going to RSPCA

Oh dear I am so sorry for you OP. How stressful!

Have you managed to find anyone in the local area who can help, like a Borrow My Doggy situation?

Very much hoping it’s sorted and that you are happily off on holiday. The neighbour is a disgrace.

It looks like the dog warden would be the best option. They keep dogs for 7 days and will obtain payment from the owner before handing back. The only thing is they tend to pick up roaming dogs and am not sure that collecting one from its home / neighbour’s home is within their remit.

@Kimmers4334
I completely take your point about not handing the dog over to just anyone.
Some of us have a checkable history of caring for dogs, and that was the type of person I had in mind.
I have looked after dogs in an emergency for animal charities, and was for many years an RSPCA volunteer.
The RSPCA won’t get involved in this type of situation. That’s one of the reasons I no longer volunteer for them.