Today, I found my dog, who had been missing for over a month, at the local pound. Clearly it was my dog, she responded to her name and cried when she saw me. However, the woman there told me I could not simply take her, I had to follow through with all policies. I paid $250 to adopt my own dog. FML
I agree, your life sucks (48560) - you totally deserved it (5933)
On 04/12/2009 at 1:55pm - misc - by anbrown6 - United States (North Carolina)
that's just life. it's just a rule you have to follow. it sucks, but oh well.
#1 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:36pm by MyLifeIsGREATha
it's not typical in life to have to pay 250 dollars for your own pet when it is clear that it is yours. that is not "just life."
#163 - On 02/17/2010 at 2:53pm by whoadangitssam
FYL indeed....but you should have put those chips they put in dogs to track them down, then all they had to do is scan it and your info would pop out.....
That happened to us before with my cat. The guy who lived behind us kept calling the pound to come and take her, so we kept having to go and get her and pay for her.
#4 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:39pm by adelaide_evening
That sounds weird. Couldn't you provide a picture to the lady to prove that you owned the dog. I mean I don't know how legal that crap is since I pay licensing fees to the town and have pictures of my dog. I'd be damned if the local pound was to ignorant to realize she/he was rightfully my pet. FYL.
Glad you got your dog back, but to expect it for free ain't right. Shelters need $ to run. Get your dog a microchip, would have saved you the $.
that sucks. but at least you got your dog back!!!!! she missed you! i think it is sooo worth it!
#9 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:42pm by rainydays09
they cared for your dog for a month! if not for them your dog would be dead. it was your fault that you lost your dog, and your fault that the human society had to care for it for a month. if you ask me, you got way more than $250 worth of luck that your dog is still alive.
#11 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:43pm by pantlessben
You're lucky that you found it and no one else adopted her before you found her there!
#12 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:43pm by deathbybutterfly
I don't see why they make you pay to adopt pets, they are trying to get give them a home, if you gave them away for free more people would get one.
They need money to feed and care for the animals. Adopting a shelter pet, even a purebread, is already was cheaper than buying one from a high class pet store. They are giving you quite a good deal, actually.
#158 - On 09/05/2009 at 11:25pm by Wildcat67
sooner or later you'd have to get your dog registered. she just helped you with the process :D
#14 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:44pm by anteatereater
No legal documentation that the dog belongs to you? Kind of your fault.
But seriously, at least you got your dog back. Some people are never that lucky.
#15 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:44pm by goodnightgracie
I'm waiting for the follow up to this. "After readopting my dog, she ran away again."
#17 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:44pm by kristenlee
They took care of your dog for a while, the least you could do is support the lives of future lost dogs. Put a tag or chip in her next time. It's $250 for your dog, come on, how stingy can you be?
Next time buy the dog a license like they law says you should. That way they would have contacted you as soon as your dog came in and it wouldn't have been exposed to whatever diseases the other dogs have in the kennel. $8.00 for a license is a lot cheaper than $250 so you FAIL
#20 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:46pm by Lisasimpsonfan
It's amazing you got her back though, $250 is a small price to pay cause there's no price on doggy's life!
#4 Why didn't you just microchip/tag your cat? Or at least talk to the guy who lives behind you and find out what his problem is.
#22 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:54pm by nuga
Yeah, like people have been saying, get your dog registered. I don't know where you live, but there's a reasonably big fine for not having your dog licensed where I live anyway,
at least your dog didn't get sold to another person! and lol at #17.
#26 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:56pm by lol_everyday
after a couple days of being in the pound they're put up for adoption that's how it works.
did you even bother checking the pound earlier?
who cares about 250$, you got your dog!
#27 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:56pm by effyourlife_
That's why you get your pet a MICROCHIP! All shelters/vet clinics have a scanner and when a stray animal is brought in its the first thing they check for. Would have saved you time and money!
#29 - On 04/12/2009 at 4:59pm by UnCensoredBitch
YDI for several reasons:
(1) Allowing your dog to get loose.
(2) Not checking the pound any sooner.
(3) Not having a microchip or tags.
My sister works for the humane society, and she says that while it sucks for people to have to pay for their own dogs, often part of the fee is for the animal control, which in itself could include a fine for a city ordinance violation for your dog being outside without a leash. Also, consider: you were too lazy and waited 30 DAYS to check the pound...you think they're going to house your dog there that long FOR FREE?????
YDI, YDI, YDI.
Microchipping won't change the policy. It just means you'll get your dog back faster.
You also have to pay a huge fee to drop an animal off at any shelter, which I think is ridiculous. God forbid we try to get them off the streets! (I volunteer at an animal shelter and I think asking for a donation would be more appropriate.)
Seriously? So if I started rounding up the feral cats in my neighborhood, I'd have to pay for the privilege of saving them from the alligators?
Eat up, gators!
#155 - On 07/11/2009 at 1:22pm by LadyAlathia
oh my god the ppl on here r sooooo stupid..go back to ur house and show her ur papers...or go to ur vet and get them why waste the money?????!!!!!
#33 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:24pm by laxchick617
Umm... you would've had to pay a fee to get the dog back anyway even if there was evidence it was yours.
#35 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:30pm by MissFortune
#4 Maybe if you kept the cat in the house it wouldn't be a problem??
#36 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:31pm by obscureabyss867
Wow, where do you people live? I'm in TN and have never heard of buying a license for a dog or paying more than $90 to adopt one from a shelter. And they give you back your own dog for free or the cost of caring for it.
I would have grabbed the dog and left!
#37 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:34pm by killjoy188
#4 Why didnt you F that person up after the second time. Some guy around here threatened to kill our dogs if he had the chance so we trashed his garden and smashed his windows.
I would have gladly paid for my dog. I consider all my pets members of the family so to get one back after that long missing, I would have just wanted to get him home.
#39 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:35pm by condescending
Yep, my dad did the same. That's how it goes, pretty much anywhere you go in the US.
#40 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:36pm by skeptictank
i would of knocked them out, took my dog and released a few others to keep them ocupied and ran may a** out of there
#41 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:36pm by jamiekid12
aww that does suck but its totally worth it. i would.
#42 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:39pm by hawaiianxpunchx3
#30: He never said that it was the first time he checked the pound. I don't think he was lazy, at least there's nothing in his text indicating that he was.
didn't you have a chip put in your dog so they could have checked? sucks you had to pay but atleast you got your dog back
YDI. Sounds more like you paid $250 for someone else to look after your dog because you didn't.
#46 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:43pm by wafermouse
ooh and # 30 dogs get loose over the years our dog has gotten off of the rope several times, granted we live basicaly in the country and she doesnt get far but still dogs get loose... they're animals they enjoy being free
Ok, so $250 isn't really that bad, and if you love your dog a lot, it's worth it. Not really an FML unless you're completely broke and don't love your dog.
#49 - On 04/12/2009 at 5:46pm by woahcomments
yeah, #49, I'd gladly pay $250 to get my doggie back. I feel bad that the dog was in the pound for so long.
That's why my Dogs have COLLARS, TAGS AND THE HOME AGAIN CHIP! Be responsible.
#51 - On 04/12/2009 at 6:09pm by 100308
well, look a the brightside....you have your dog back. =]
#52 - On 04/12/2009 at 6:10pm by jazzjazz09
I don't get how this is an FML... you got your dog back thats the thing that matters not that you had to pay $250, which isnt even that bad. Just be lucky someone else didnt adopt her first.
#54 - On 04/12/2009 at 6:42pm by _FACKMYLIFE_
YDI because your dog should have tags and a leash, if one doesnt prevent the dog from being picked up, the other does. Shame on you. Also, you are quite lucky that they found your dog, and it hadn't been put to sleep yet. Frankly, $250 is a small price to pay for being neglectful. Please don't complain.
#56 - On 04/12/2009 at 6:55pm by Mandaleigh
I understand why you'd be upset, but I work in an animal shelter and you must understand that while your dog was there not only did they feed and clean him, he was also looked at by the vet and given any vaccinations that were needed. Also if the Animal Shelter is like mine it gets no money from the government, and relies on making a profit through adoptions, donations, and drop off fees... thus they struggle a lot to make money.
you should be happy you found your dog.
#57 - On 04/12/2009 at 7:05pm by hannahgilb
be happy u found ur dog, forget the money
just no it was ll worth it.
i really dont think this is a FML
#58 - On 04/12/2009 at 7:13pm by jessxoxo28
Hey, just be glad you got your dog back. Especially since he must not have been wearing tags, if he was at the shelter for a month. Be grateful that you can afford to keep him, be grateful that you can afford to get him out of the shelter, especially in this economy.
I had to do the same thing. I had a Shih-Tzu get lost and I found him at the dog pound. I had to pay $85 to get him back.
But hey, at least you found your dog again!
#64 - On 04/12/2009 at 7:29pm by DamnGoodTimes
wtf you definately deserved it
why would you wait a month to look in the pound?
and all pounds make you pay if they have your dog
#66 - On 04/12/2009 at 7:36pm by amy_shmamy
Think of it this way. The kennel bathed, fed, watched over, and took care of your dog for an entire month. That's basically worth $250, if not more. Stop being so ungrateful and just be glad you got your dog back and it was actually some place safe, not on the street.
#7: "Couldn't you provide a picture to the lady to prove that you owned the dog."
Yeah, see, that's what dog tags and licenses are for. For that EXACT kind of thing. These days you can even get microchips inserted into their necks (it doesn't hurt, it's microscopic) and it reacts to specialized scanners that pull up the owners name, address etc. so that they can see "Oh hey, this guy owns the dog, it must be his".
Consider it a $250 lesson, OP, and get some tags this time.
#68 - On 04/12/2009 at 7:42pm by Nemephosis
pffffffffffff i feel for you
my dog escaped for a bit, because the fence was broken
he was gone less then an hour and somebody called the pound
we had to pay $400
That's reasonable. Hey, if your dog was at the pound for a month, they were paying someone to feed and take care of him for all that time. Your fee when you pick him up is one of the ways they cover that cost. Why didn't you think to check the local pound earlier? Shouldn't that be the first place you call if you can't find your pet?
#71 - On 04/12/2009 at 8:11pm by swagmonkey
wow fuck that, i wouldn't have paid...just take her and run!
#74 - On 04/12/2009 at 8:28pm by xstockholmlove
Oh come on! You got your dog back! I'd pay $250 to have one of my pets back if I truly missed him/her.
#76 - On 04/12/2009 at 8:38pm by Anonymous_F_Up
you're honestly very lucky they didn't put your dog down. most places dont have the money or space to keep up with the influx of animals. As soon as any animal shows any sign at all of being sick or any aggression whatsoever, they get put down.
the dog got lost/left the yard = you fucked up. you should have to pay for your mistake. this isn't an FML. it doesn't matter if you could prove the dog was yours or not. I hope you didn't get all mad and embarass yourself to the pound staff. the pound is NOT a public service - compassionate people don't want your animal to die on the streets if it gets lost so fuckin pay them for your mistake
#77 - On 04/12/2009 at 8:50pm by ConSeannery
YDI for it getting to the point that your dog ended up there anyway. If you can't take care of it, then don't have one.
#80 - On 04/12/2009 at 9:11pm by STFCBarsby
Not to be a jerk, but seriously, you should have paid better attention to your dog.
#82 - On 04/12/2009 at 9:27pm by LizzysOwner
Next time put a collar on him.
Just be glad you have him back..
#84 - On 04/12/2009 at 9:38pm by maggiewalters
That's not that surprising. When we first got our dog he only had a rabies tag on his collar. He kept getting out but we would catch him. Then one day we didn't even know he was gone until way after he left. A week later my mother and I go to the shelter and there he is. However when we went to check him out the lady said it would cost $50 to "bail him out". I personally found that phrase very funny. Anyway you should be happy you got your dog back.
I'm very disturbed by all the mean comments here. Dogs get out. It happens. Once I had just given mine a bath, thus she didn't have her collar/tags on, and she escaped out the door. I got her back quickly - she was just outside, but geez, I'm a poor college kid, I can't afford $250 to get her back, even though I love her more than anything.
Ugh, that sounds terribly annoying! But hey, at least you have her. You got lucky. What if you came to the pound only to find that your dog had been put down because no one had adopted her? Or what if some one else adopted her first? Even though you lost $250, try to think of how lucky you are. It could be MUCH worse.
#89 - On 04/12/2009 at 10:14pm by agexofxaquarius
See, now if you'd spent money to get the dog chipped, you could've avoided that.
#90 - On 04/12/2009 at 10:19pm by arms_akimbo
My friend had gotten at $1200 dollar fine for "letting his dog run at large" since she was part pitbull. (She jumped the fence at his dad's house while he was out of town.) We had pictures of her and he had half of the bandana she wears around her neck around his wrist. Even though the bandana was clearly enough evidence the dog was his, he still had to pay $90 to get her back and go to court.
#94 - On 04/12/2009 at 11:00pm by jessieshungry
You should just be thankful and happy that you found your dog, instead of being concerned about the money.
That's so sad. I'm sorry. But I'm glad you readopted her though.
#97 - On 04/13/2009 at 12:20am by mydogblaze
This is NOT an FML...this is a good thing. It's like paying a reward for somebody finding your dog. Your life is NOT f'd up because of this, so I don't see why you'd complain.
i don't think anyones life is fucked, they took care of your dog for a month, there's a cost of upkeep that they needed to pay, it's not unreasonable. and your dog didn't go to someone else so everyone goes on after this event no worse for wear
This happened to me too. My dog lost her tag.
Except I found my dog in a day.
I had to pay a policy fee, and then get her fixed.
#104 - On 04/13/2009 at 2:02am by kristineneer
that sucks... but honestly are you so stingy/poor that you feel its a FML to pay just 250 for your own dog?
#4, I can't believe your neighbor did that to you! Couldn't he/she get in trouble for that?
#106 - On 04/13/2009 at 2:47am by Inspired22
At least you got your dog back,i would pay just about anything to get mine back :(
#107 - On 04/13/2009 at 3:10am by allylovesbrody
It's not that much considering that they fed and cared for your dog, and he most likely had a vet look him over. You should dnate more to that pound, too.
That sucks about the money, but your dog is worth it, right?
Glad to hear your dog is safe and you got him/her back :)
#109 - On 04/13/2009 at 3:40am by ThisIsWhyImScott
who said this person didnt check the pound before this point? Maybe they checked everyday and the dog just turned up....
also, who knows how the dog was lost, maybe the dogs backyard chain broke (who could immagine!?)...
ease up guys.
#110 - On 04/13/2009 at 3:50am by ThisIsWhyImScott
just be happy you got your dog back, there are thousands of people every day that dont ever find their dog again. the pound looked after your dog for a month, what did you expect?
#111 - On 04/13/2009 at 4:15am by everyonehatesyou
not an FML. over here you always have to pay to take your dog out of the pound.
#13, the cost to adopting a pet is extremely small relative to the cost of taking care of a dog.
if the person is too cheap to pay that, you can't trust him to take good care of the dog.
Dude as much as it sucks to be out 250 dollars at least you got your dog back! Quit bitching, if you have a job you'll recover that 250 in a paycheck or two, and if not like I said you got your dog back, what's wrong with this situation!?
#115 - On 04/13/2009 at 9:44am by audiogasmic
That's why it's important to have your pets registered and tagged. I would pay 10 times that amount to get my dogs back, you're very lucky you were able to find him!
The kennels have to pay to keep your dog sheltered and feed remember. Over a month that total would be about right, it usually is about £90 to get them back. Even if it is only for collecting and 'pounding' them. Be grateful that you got the dog back, way too many get put down after just 7 days.
And it's not enough that the dog recognizes you, its illegal to give a dog back for free. I should know, my friend runs a re-homing dog rescue center. It's disgusting how many people leave the dogs there and don't pay the money to get them back.
However that does prove that life's a shit that way... ;)
#117 - On 04/13/2009 at 10:15am by DesireeGray
y are u posting here??? so what if u had 2 pay a little extra money 2 get ur dog back, if u really love ur dog then WHO FREAKING CARES???
It sucks, but hey at least you got your dog back && didn't reject him/her. You went thru the trouble of paying the money just go get the dog back && that's great!
#121 - On 04/13/2009 at 2:31pm by InMemRyofUs
aww, you are a sweetie! i know plennnnty of douches who would just leave their dog their. your puppy's probably happy to be home!
#122 - On 04/13/2009 at 2:32pm by coolcat624
You paid 250 to re-adopt your dog.
to me that just says... you went out of your way to get your dog back.
i agree. with 119... very sweet :D
#123 - On 04/13/2009 at 2:45pm by were_giraffe
I'd be less worried about having to pay... You got your dog back that's awesome its not really an FML
Why do YDL? Because obviously you hadn't left your dog's information with that shelter, which you ALWAYS DO IF YOU WANT YOUR ANIMAL BACK! When you call the shelter, you leave all your information, and then when they get your dog they give it back to you. Either way, just be glad you got her back, and next time make sure you're doing everything possible to get your pet back.
#127 - On 04/13/2009 at 5:19pm by reallytruly
at my pound you don't have to pay to get an animal.
there's a "suggested" donation, but no fee.
then again, it's city-run.
#130 - On 04/13/2009 at 6:40pm by child_of_fae
Thats bullshit, you should take them to small claims court for the money you spent to get him out.
#131 - On 04/13/2009 at 8:34pm by pensteel71
at least you got your dog back.
my cat's been missing for 5 months and i would happily pay any money to get him back
#132 - On 04/13/2009 at 9:20pm by meesh
register your dog then.
you're lucky it was just $250. Its $500 in Maryland for not registering you're dog, another $500 for having a "dog at large" and additional money if its shots arent up to date.
#135 - On 04/14/2009 at 9:49pm by glass_doll83
Could've been worse, they could've killed your dog. This same thing happened to me only my bitch neighbor called the pound because my dog went in her yard like twice. I figure it went to a good cause, I mean, they feed animals with that money.
I would have walked out, bought bolt cutters, and forcefully opened up the cage with my dog in it.
#138 - On 04/15/2009 at 5:20am by wishinghand
They took care of your dog for a couple months while you couldn't find her. They fed her and gave her a place to stay where she would be safe. They have to pay for food and everything else. Lots of shelters put animals to sleep if they can't find homes for them. You should be happy you got your dog back and be more careful with her from now on.
#139 - On 04/15/2009 at 1:49pm by SurpriseButtseks
Okay... If you loved your dog SO MUCH, why did it take you a month to go down to the shelter to look for it? I work at a Humane Society and you were SO unbelievably lucky that they #1. Didn't put it to sleep. And #2. That someone else didn't adopt your dog and take it out of the shelter.
#140 - On 04/15/2009 at 6:31pm by college_gurl21
Your life is NOT f'd.
Be goddamned grateful that you even got your dog back. My own cat who was one of the sweetest cats you could imagine got outside our apartment shortly before Christmas and has been missing ever since. I adopted him as a kitten two Septembers ago (back in '07) after my parents divorced and I moved 3000 miles away from my home with my mom. I didn't make any friends for months but always had him with me.
I would pay 250 bucks to have him back in a heartbeat. If you're more concerned with money than you are with your pet, then let someone else have the luck of getting theirs back.
Well, I read over my comment and realized it was really harsh. So I apologize. I just miss my Boo very, very much.
Wow, that sucks but at the same time if my dog would have run away I would pay everything just to get her back. She's a little cutie.
Well I'm sorry you had to pay, but you found your dog! You should be grateful!
#146 - On 04/18/2009 at 3:36am by oc3anofdr3ams
Er, you deserved it. Sorry, but if the dog was missing for over a month, how else do you think the dog will feed itself? I expect the $250 was to pay for the food, upkeep, cleaning of the dog for the whole month. And at least the money will also be reused to help provide upkeep for any other dogs in the pound.
Be grateful you found him/her again.
It sucks, but like some others have said they had to take care of your dog including a probable vet checkup. :/ I'd just be happy they had your pup and she wasn't dead or being mistreated elsewhere.
#148 - On 04/20/2009 at 8:27pm by simplewhimsy
That sucks, but they are the rules. However, I have to say, you're awesome for paying that much to get your own dog back. A lot of people would have seen the price and just left them there. You're cool in my book.
Also, you are fairly lucky that you did find your dog.
That's not bad. At the shelter I volunteer at, you don't have to pay to adopt your own dog, but you do have to pay $25 + $10 per day to cover the cost of feeding and caring for your dog.
Perhaps that's what you paid for?
Also, why did it take you a MONTH to check the local shelter for your dog?
Also, why was your dog not wearing a collar with your contact info and rabies vaccination info, which would have pointed the shelter to your vet?
Basically, this is 100% your fault and you're damn lucky to have your dog back. Hope you learned a lesson from this.
That's happened to me before but it only cost me $50
#151 - On 06/02/2009 at 2:25am by CoochieStuffer
Well im glad you payed but your very lucky you actually found it.
#153 - On 06/18/2009 at 2:19am by 0riginal0_0ne
Same thing happen to my friend, except her parents didn't want to pay to get the dog back so she didn't get the dog back and the dog was left left at the pound...
that is fucked up I use to work for the Cleveland Animal Protective League if a dog were to respond to you like that at our adoption area we would give her back to you... I'm sorry they screwed you over
#162 - On 02/10/2010 at 8:20pm by Whiterabbitm1
