I've got a rather odd question and I hope that someone can be of
help to
me. I really want to adopt a kitten, but I've run into a dilemma
while
looking through adoption websites. I live in Massachusetts, and it
seems
that virtually every single adoption program has a compulsory form
that
you must sign off on to get a kitten. I have no problem with random
visits to my home, or questions about my income. I do, however,
think it
is is a bit much to insist that I sign off that I'll never declaw
the cat.
Now, I know many people may be against declawing, but that isn't
the
issue. What I'd like to know is if it is possible (legal) for the
adoption agency to just come to my house and take away the cat if
it has
been declawed? To me this seems like me selling someone a car and
telling them that if they drive over 75 mph that I get to take it
away.
Thanks in advance for any help you can give me on this issue!
You have the right to enter the contact you outlined. If you don't
keep the promises you make in the contract, you can be sued for
breach. The agency could not enter the house or take the cat without
your permission, because the contract doesn't say they can (I assume).
But they could sue for possession if the contract gives them the right
of possession as a result of your breach. If you don't think a
contract is fair and reasonable, don't sign it.
There are 84 zillion cats making babies as fast as they can, and lots
of owners who would like to give you a kitten. You could put an index
card ad on the bulletin board of the supermarket. I see ads for free
kittens in the Penny Saver (A free newspaper containing nothing but
ads, mostly from people rather than businesses). I see urchins with a
cardboard box containing kittens outside of the swap meet, trying to
give them away. I got a kitten for my kids from some other kids
standing outside of a mall with a box of kittens and a sign, because I
couldn't scoot past them fast enough to distract my daughters and I
was too slow witted to think of a good answer when they asked why not.
You could go ahead and sign the contract if the issues are not
important to you, but there are alternatives.
McGyver
