A couple placed an add on Kijiji.Looking for a home for there dog.They were asking money for the dog but I explained to them My wife and I adopt un wanted dogs we only offer a good home and lots of love.We are retired and live in the country and have all the time in the world to give the dog.They phoned us and asked when then could drop thhe dog off.We set a date and they brought the dog to our home. We asked them repeatly before they left if they were sure what there were doing .They said yes and left.Now after a month they called and want the dog back.We told them no.They have now sent us a letter from there lawyer to return the dog our they would see us in court. :( So we are going to follow are hearts and go all the way to keep her. Any sugestions or coments.. Thank you

Did he explain what changed and why he wants the dog back now?

Do you still have the original ad?

Are you going to get a lawyer? (I personally believe you are in the right. The dog was a gift.)

I'm really not sure on the legal aspects involved here, but I would also agree that the dog is yours. But they may have some sort of rights depending on how long you have had the dog for.

I would think that after a month, they lost their rights of ownership to the dog.

What do you do with the "dogs" if you take in unwanted dogs, and keep taking in more and more dogs, I assume you somehow and somewhere get rid of them also ?

But yes, your answer is that the dog was given to you, and that the old owner has no claim to the dog.

Did they perhaps find someone to buy the dog or did their plans change and they want the dog back? Did they miss the dog so much they want him back ?

To be honest they must really want that dog back to hire an attorney.

The letter was from their lawyer, or from themselves saying they would hire one?

My dog came into the clinic I work at as a stray. He sat in the kennels for the mandatory 10 days he had to find his owners, then I adopted him.
Three weeks after I adopted him, his owners came forward looking for their dog. When we explained to them that a pet owner only has 10 days to claim their pet before it is put up for adoption, they got irate and said they would drive around town forever and try to find their dog.
The last thing we heard was that she was calling her lawyer and we would see her in court. That was in October 2009.

Obviously my situation is a bit different, but maybe this is a empty threat? Is there any way you can send a letter back explaining what you explained in this post? Do you have the original ad to include? I'm not sure how they are planning on going through this, unless they claim you "stole" her.

Thanks for all your replies.I will explain some of my comments.I don't have the original ad but I do have all our emails back and forth regarding the ad on kijiji.I am waiting until the 30th of November this was the date that was requested from there Lawyer in training.We don't keep taking in dogs for adoption.We only try and rescue once it dies.We only have two dogs at any given time.

Any update?