Advice needed.

So after my girlfriend and I broke up, she has left 4 reptiles in my care that belong to her. Not to mention some of her personal belongings. I have done everything I can to get her to come get them and provide her access. More than 2 weeks have passed and now her phone is disconnected. Last we talked she was going to come get them. No show. I also reached out to the pastor of her church to let him tell her she needs to make a decision or pick them up.

At what point are they no longer hers? I am trying to be nice and giving her opportunity. I know I can not do much else but care for them. I just don't want to spend months caring for them and then she show up out of the blue one day and demand them back.

Geez, sorry to hear you're dealing with this. Breakups are never easy, but situations like this certainly don't help.
Kind of a tough one too. I mean, legally, they're still hers, but it sounds like they're better off in your care. I know if anything ever happened with me and my girl, my animals would be my top priority when moving.

I don't have a clue what the "right" answer is. I wish you the best and hope it all works out.

As said there really isn't a right answer. Were the reptiles hers before the relationship or did she maybe get them because you were into reptiles? During the relationship who took care of them? Have you tried others means of contacting her besides he phone and the pastor, such as facebook or her parents? Maybe she just needs some time to get her life in order after the breakup before she can properly care for the animals.

When it comes to animals they are considered property however in most state their are specific laws when it comes to animal abandonment, care etc

To prove abandonment you need to report the animal(s) as being abandoned to animal control, after a certain amount of time (pretty short) if the owner (ex-girlfriend) does not claim her animals you will be able to legally take ownership if that is what you want.

Without paper trail or proof you will just take care of them for free until she decides to get them as they will remain her property.

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Originally Posted by 67temp

As said there really isn't a right answer. Were the reptiles hers before the relationship or did she maybe get them because you were into reptiles? During the relationship who took care of them? Have you tried others means of contacting her besides he phone and the pastor, such as facebook or her parents? Maybe she just needs some time to get her life in order after the breakup before she can properly care for the animals.

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They were all acquired after we were together. Truth is that all but one I paid for. I have done 95% of all the care for them and now 100%. I don't know he parents and last I herd she moved in with another guy. Wishing her the best there. LOL. I am not upset about her being gone other than wanting her to get her things and animals or the animals become my property so I can move forward as if they were my own. I will always provide the best care I can. I don't think she can afford to care for them. There is also a dog that is hers that is still at my house. I think this is very irresponsible of her and might have to take legal action to solidify it. Just trying to be fair and give a grace period. Just not sure how much longer I should wait?

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Originally Posted by Deborah

When it comes to animals they are considered property however in most state their are specific laws when it comes to animal abandonment, care etc

To prove abandonment you need to report the animal(s) as being abandoned to animal control, after a certain amount of time (pretty short) if the owner (ex-girlfriend) does not claim her animals you will be able to legally take ownership if that is what you want.

Without paper trail or proof you will just take care of them for free until she decides to get them as they will remain her property.

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So the question is, If I do report to animal control, will they take them while ownership is in limbo or work with me keeping them and caring for them?

If you paid for them and took care of them then I'd say they're yours. But, just in case I think it's a good idea to document this and check into the animal abandonment angle.

If there are animal abandonment laws in your area I'd follow their guidelines. Otherwise personally I'd probably give it 30 days unless you know for sure there's some issue where she can't come to collect like being in the hospital, out of town, etc... I'd probably allow a bit longer on the dog (which sounds like it's more hers) than the reptiles which you paid for.

Ok, just checked with Texas animal control in my county and was told that after 3 days they are my legal responsibility. He said he did not know if ownership was the same as being accountable for them. That is all pets.

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Originally Posted by dboeren

If you paid for them and took care of them then I'd say they're yours. But, just in case I think it's a good idea to document this and check into the animal abandonment angle.

If there are animal abandonment laws in your area I'd follow their guidelines. Otherwise personally I'd probably give it 30 days unless you know for sure there's some issue where she can't come to collect like being in the hospital, out of town, etc... I'd probably allow a bit longer on the dog (which sounds like it's more hers) than the reptiles which you paid for.

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The dog was a gift from me. As far as I know, she just left and moved in with another guy. I have no way to contact her outside talking with her pastor.

Did she have her mail forwarded?