I have what is probably a odd situation, if someone could advise or help i would be most grateful. My wife has been working voluntarily for a dog rescue, she was fostering a dog then we decided to adopt, the fee is £165, we have paid £95 of this through weekly payments to make it more affordable, now the person whom runs this rescue has fallen out with my wife and said shes taking the dog back! where do i stand legally? if at all? this has upset the family greatly.

No paperwork has been signed, its seems to have been on trust, all receipts of payments ie bank transactions i have.

Any advice would help

thanks

So how exactly do they plan on getting the dog back and what reason have they given ?

As far as I know they just plan on sending Joe bloggs in a car. A volunteer to do so. As for reasons they are just petty a disagreement, fall out where the so called manager is always right and beyond reproach and selfishly acted in this way.

Then personally I'd be politely telling joe bloggs that you aren't handing the dog over without evidence of his legal right to take the dog from you.

Are you in a position to pay the balance of the fee?

Has there been any paperwork at all, for fostering or adoption?

Is this a proper charity?

This would eb a tricky one without paperwork.

Which means it would come down to your word vs theirs

What does help are the payments.

These payments indicate on the balance of probabilities that commercial arrangement existed.

I would advise everything be done in writing now. Maybe a letter confirming the remaining repayment dates and amounts to the charity etc. recorded delivery as well.

Agree with SS to keep it all in writing.

I could imagine this one being on Judge Rinder =]

thanks for the reply's, i am starting to agree with the judge Rinder comment ). I have done some digging on this i went on the charitycommission.gov.uk and it is not listed there, And i cant find a official address for the organisation, it seems to be run from a facebook group/page.

Anything at companies house?

nope nothing at companies house:???:

Dogs trust charge £100 and the dog is neutered microchipped, vaccinated etc.

https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/rehoming/faqs/

What do you get for adopting from these people for £165.00?

I'd be inclined to write a letter confirming the agreement you've made, and details of what has been agreed so that you have the start of a paper trail. Advise them that you intend to abide by your hitherto verbal contract and will be keeping the dog. Any future communication should be in writing, and any alteration they wish to make will need to be agreed with you in writing and that if necessary you will take legal action to enforce it.

Send it recorded delivery.

Then if they want the dog back (which you'll only acknowledge if in writing) you will want back the money back that you've paid and costs for its care before returning it. Keep that bit up your sleeve if the letter doesn't work.

Just an idea. See what others think.

What I don't know is if this set up needs any sort of licencing or registration. May be worth a phone call to the RSPCA to see if they can advise.

There are all sorts of people call themselves 'rescues', some of them are very good and some of them aren't. I've got a feeling the local council are the people to contact to see if there is any need for licensing.

Thanks hightail.

Thank you all for your advice and help. I will gives updates when i have them.

Don't let her bully you.