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Can a Vet hold your pet if you owe money?
Anonymous3 views3 answers
We had to move my father quickly to another state - he is 82 years old and very ill...plus he recently lost his wife this year. When we were moving him to another state one of his cats took ill and we rushed her to an animal clinic. We have not had a window to go back to Florida and pick her up. The bill has grown - even though we have paid as we could. Question: I want to fly back and retrieve the pet so we can stop the meter on the charges, however, can not pay the entire bill at this time. Can they deny releasing the pet to me until the bill is fully paid?
Florida does have a lien for veterinarians: section 713.655 (http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/713.655). The following explains the vet's remedies: http://www.flsenate.gov/Laws/Statutes/2012/Chapter85
So, yes, they can deny you the cat.
I suggest you offer them an amount in settlement - they may accept it (if they do, get it in writing).
Bryan Andrew LoberJuvenile Law AttorneyMelbourne, FLFL licensed ·
The bigger question may be if they will give you the pet even though you aren't the owner. If you were the one to actually complete all of the paperwork and drop off the animal, this may well not be an issue. However, you should have all of your ducks in a row before coming from another state. Get something notarized from your father stating that he authorizes you to retrieve the animal. You may also wish to contact the vet to explain the situation in advance so that you don't run into an unwanted surprise.
