When Is an Animal Considered Abandoned?

Pets have become an integral part of life across the globe. Most of the time, these pets are well cared for and loved. Unfortunately, there are some pet owners that find the task of raising an animal difficult and several pets are abandoned each year. Abandonment can happen at veterinarian offices, kennels, animal shelters or even public places. Each state defines the amount of time before a pet is considered abandoned, and there are protocols that need to be followed before transferring the animal or selling it.

  1. Abandoned at a Facility

    • If the animal is left at a veterinarian, kennel or similar facility without the owner paying for services and collecting the animal, it will be considered abandoned after a certain amount of days. The amount of days varies for each state (see "Holding Period" section below). The facility will notify the owner that the animal is ready for pickup upon payment of services. If the owner fails to respond to this notification, the facility can take the animal to an animal shelter or sell it. Usually, the facility lets the owner know which shelter the animal is located. The animal shelter then has ownership of the animal, if the state appointed time has passed, and the owner has refused to respond or pick up the animal.

    Selling the Animal

    • The veterinarian that has treated the animal has the choice to sell the animal if it has been abandoned. The owner must be notified 10 to 20 days prior to the sale, and this is in addition to the "holding period" time. The veterinarian cannot destroy the animal but just sell it or transfer it to an animal shelter.

    Abandonment in a Public Place

    • A pet owner that leaves an animal in a public place, for a certain amount of time, can be charged with a misdemeanor. Once the animal is found abandoned, it is given appropriate care and shelter, such as veterinarian treatment. Animals found in public places without identification tags or proper licensing, will be immediately taken to an animal shelter facility. If the owner tries to reclaim the animal, he must pay local penalties and any other charges that have accrued.

    Holding Period

    • Each state is different on the required holding periods at veterinarian, kennels and similar facilities. They also vary on holding time at animal shelters. Fourteen days is the average amount of time needed before the animal is considered abandoned at a veterinarian, kennel or other facility. After this period, the animal is transferred to an animal shelter when a new holding period starts. These holding periods can range from a few days to a week. The Federal Pet Theft Act requires a five day holding period before the animal is sold to a dealer or destroyed. Check with your local veterinarian, kennel or animal shelter to inquire about your state's specific holding period.