How do you change ownership of a dog? Here’s What to Expect

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Giving your pet away can be emotional, but properly transferring its documents will ensure the new owner knows how to care for it. To transfer a pet to someone else, you’ll need to sign a transfer of pet ownership agreement and transfer your pet license and microchip registration. You can find templates for transfer of pet ownership agreements online. Make sure to include details about your pet including its breed, health history, and care instructions. Once you’ve signed the transfer, you’ll need to fill out a pet license transfer form, which can be found at most animal shelters. If your pet is microchipped, visit the provider who microchipped your animal to transfer the registration over. To learn how to find out if your pet is microchipped, read on!

  • Lacey “Informative and well organized information regarding the transfer of pet ownership.”

    • Drafting a Transfer of Ownership Agreement

  • This article only covers the transfer of pet ownership in the United States. If you live in a different country, the rules may be different. Your veterinarian or staff at a local pet adoption center may be able to help. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
  • This article only handles the transfer of pet ownership between two living owners. If the pets previous owner has died, look to the previous owners will or consult a probate attorney about transferring the ownership of the pet. ⧼thumbs_response⧽ Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0

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    Understanding How a Microchip Works

    First, it’s important to clarify how a microchip works. When a microchip is implanted in your pet, the chip comes with a unique identification number that will remain associated with the pet for eternity, similar to a social security number that is assigned to humans in the U.S.

    The microchip can be scanned, and the number detected, by any universal scanner at a vet’s office or animal shelter. The number is then associated with the information you have provided on the microchip registry such as pet’s name, age, sex, date of birth and medical information, along with your contact information, such as an address and phone numbers.

    When you rehome your pet, you will need to transfer the pet’s microchip registration to the new owner, so that the microchip number becomes associated with the correct individual. If your pet is registered at Found.org, you can follow the steps below to transfer a pet’s microchip registration to a new owner:

  • To transfer ownership of a pet that is currently registered to you, login to your account.
  • Then click on “Transfer” underneath the pet’s name.
  • The system will walk you through the steps of transferring the pet to a new owner’s account.
  • The new owner will receive an email, text and phone call to accept or reject this transfer.
  • The new pet owner has 7 days to accept or reject this transfer. After 7 days, we will complete the transfer.
  • Once the pet is transferred, it will no longer appear in your account.

    • How to Transfer a Pet to a New Owner

    I adopted my dog, about 4 years ago from a shelter in New York with my ex fiancé. He recently abandoned us, and has not cared about the dog or his well-being. The dog has always lived with me and my other rescued dog. They get along so well and cant live without each other. When we initially him, we adopted him under my ex fiancées name, because I was not 21 yet. I am now over 21 and totally capable of taking care of my dogs and would like full custody. What do I have to do?

    Ownership records cannot be changed without the consent of the adopter of record. However, if a pet custody case is litigated, it is very likely that a court would consider more than just who adopted an animal. Courts would likely consider what transpired after adoption, including, for example, whether the animal was given away, sold, or abandoned, who has been the animal’s primary caretaker and paid for the animal’s care (such as food, veterinary expenses, grooming, etc.).

    PLEASE NOTE: Responses to legal inquiries are not meant to replace seeking legal advice from an attorney in your state. The materials in this website and any responses to questions are for informational purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed, as legal advice. This website, the information contained herein, and any responses to questions directed to this column are not intended to create and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely or act upon any information provided on this website or in any response to your inquiry without seeking the advice of an attorney in your state regarding the facts of your specific situation.