How can i legally own a dog i found?

Question

I found a dog a couple of months ago. His fur was very matted all over, maybe about an inch thick.
He had no collar or microchip when i took him to the vet.
He has all of his shots, and has an appointment to get neutered.
I am worried if someone says its their dog, can they take him away from me?
What can i do if this situation happens?

i live on san antonio texas by the way.

oops i meant i live "IN" san antonio

if i wasnt clear, i paid for the shots and everything. He even had a yeat infection.

*He even had a yeast infection in his right ear.

Answer 1

In most states you need to advertise the dog as found for 3 days and then it is yours if you so desire. The best way to find out is to call the humane society and simply ask how to advertise a found dog and that you intend to keep him if no one claims it... you don't need to tell them that you have had him for months already.
With the condition of the dog when you found them and the amount of time you have had him, you are probably very safe... No one had cared for the dog in a very long time and he was probably just dumped. Since you paid vet bills and have the rabies tag in your name, the ownership of the dog is by now legally transferred to you.
If you do go ahead and advertise him, just do a non- descript ad like, "found, medium dog. Call # to describe." and leave it at that. Do not ever give the person a chance to guess at the dog. There are terrible people who will claim lost dogs to use as fighting dog bait or to sell to research labs.

Answer 2

It would be an expensive legal battle for anyone to prove the dog was theirs if there is no microchip or tattoo. I doubt anyone who would neglect a dog so badly and fail to find it after all this time would waste the money to take you to court. If the dog now has vet records in your name, just get him microchipped or tattooed on your name as well, and the matter will be solved.

Answer 3

You say it was a couple months ago so if that much time has gone by and there has been no missing dog ads up or on the radio then I would say he is a unwanted stray or someones dog they left behind...you have done all this to take care of him, he has no tattoo or microchip so there is no way for someone to come along and prove it's there dog legally....so enjoy your dog.

Answer 4

If you haven't seen any lost posters anywhere then chances are he was a stray. Even if he wasn't it sounds like he would be better of with. I doubt that somebody will be coming for him now unless it is somebody from out of city/state. If this does happen and they do take him back you can at least ask for reimbursement for the vet fees. Since he wasn't neutered he may have been used to breed and may not want him back after he has been neutered.

Answer 5

if you register it (dog license) after rabies shots, it's pretty much yours. you should have put posters up when you first found it and listed ads in all local papers, as well as contacting local shelters to let them know you had found this dog. it's a little late now, but someone could still be looking for this dog. it most likely was abandoned from the sounds of the dog's condition. if you think there's any chance someone could claim him as theirs, you may want to post ads now (1 week should suffice). if you don't hear anything, he's yours.

Answer 6

I live in Florida and if you find a pet here, you have to run an ad in the local paper for something like 30 days.
If he was in that bad of shape when you found him, he may have just been a stray. I think it's a safe bet to say no one would claim him.

Answer 7

I would say the dog was a stray and you did him a favor and if someone shows up just tell him no that is not his dog. Your dog has been neutered and well trained and micro chipped. Sorry fella but I'll keep my eye out in case I see one like yours.
Be sure to teach this one lots of cute tricks, sit, down, hi5, give me 10. etc.

Thanks for helping our babies.

I actually caught someone on 3 occasions trying to steal my dog because it looked her dog. But he would not get in her car. I told her she was about to be hurt if she didn't leave my dog alone. All 3 times she actually pulled up in my parking lot to tempt him into her car.

Answer 8

Well: let's say that the "Dog" is an Homeless Animal with
no collar or State licesence tag available just call an local
Animal Shelter and ask them about it

Answer 9

Poor thing!

Well, if the dog was honestly lost as in wandered away from his people while they were camping for instance, it would be best for you to return him.

But if the dog was dumped- and he most likely was- no one will come looking for him. So you needn't worry.

The dog was lucky to have met you! Good luck with him!

Answer 10

Get him microchipped and registered in your name. Get him dog tags and register them in your name. Keep copies of all your vet bills... and he is yours.