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8000.02 - Abandoned Pets Procedure

Result Statement: Any pet placed in the custody of Legacy Veterinary Hospital for treatment,
boarding or other care is considered to be abandoned by its owner or the owner’s agent 10
days after written notice is sent to the owner’s last known address. If the owner fails to contact
us, the pet will be turned over to the care of the Frisco Animal Control, nearest humane society
or shelter.

In Texas, two types of laws protect animals from cruelty: civil laws and criminal laws. The laws
are similar but differ in the penalties they impose.
Section 42.09(2) “Cruelty of Non-Livestock Animals” of the Texas Health and Safety Code
prohibits a person from intentionally, knowingly or recklessly cruelly treating an animal. There
are presently ten (10) actions that define cruel punishment – one of these actions include
Abandoning an Animal. Cruel treatment also includes situations where a person has failed to
act or failed to provide care for an animal. Failing to act or failing to provide care rises to the
level of cruelty when it involves either: (1) failing to provide necessary, food, care or shelter; or
(2) unreasonably abandoning an animal.

The city of Frisco, Texas allow animal control officers to take an animal into their possession
after determining that the animal is being treated cruelly, is being neglected, and/or is
abandoned. Although many states differ in their enforcement of the lien laws, the general rule
is that if the debt is not paid within 10 – 20 days of giving proper notice to the owner, the
veterinarian may sell the animal, or, in some cases, euthanize the animal if deemed unhealthy,
or turn it over to a humane/rescue society.

Pet abandonment is a very sad subject. For most of us, our pets are like our children or a loving
companion. We would do anything for them. That’s why the very idea of having to abandon a
beloved pet for any reason – including financial distress – is difficult to even think about. Here
at Legacy Veterinary Hospital, we may on a rare occasion come across a pet abandonment
issue. The following are steps we will take in the event of an abandoned pet:

 DAY 1 -- 2 days after scheduled pickup date.
o Contact the owner at listed phone numbers in AVIMARK and on the medical
release/boarding documents
o If unable to communicate directly with the owner, Leave a Message for the
owner to contact Legacy Veterinary Hospital regarding picking up their pet

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