Vault: Can a Dog Rescue Really Take Back an Adopted Dog?

Summary

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The Bert Show – Vault: Can a Dog Rescue Really Take Back an Adopted Dog?

Date: April 1, 2026
Main Participants: Bert (Host), Kristin, Abby, Cassie, Tommy (Co-hosts), Lisa (Caller & Dog Adopter), Listeners

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Episode Overview

This episode dives into the troubling real-life experience of Lisa, a caller who adopted a dog from a rescue agency only to face the threat of having the pet reclaimed due to a contract technicality. The hosts and Lisa discuss the specifics of her ordeal, the legal and ethical boundaries of pet rescue contracts, and reflect on the broader implications for adopters and rescue groups. The episode is equal parts support, critique, and call to awareness, aiming to balance Lisa’s personal story with the need to protect the reputation of reputable rescue agencies.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Lisa’s Adoption Dilemma (00:49–04:46)

• Lisa shares her family's journey: after extensive interviews, references, and agreeing to send her adopted four-year-old dog to obedience training, they signed a contract with a rescue agency with a 90-day clause for class enrollment.
• Due to scheduling conflicts, the family missed the initial obedience class but signed up for the next available one.
• Despite the dog's excellent behavior, the rescue agency demanded immediate proof of class completion, threatening to reclaim the dog and impose a $500 fee (“We needed to turn the dog over to her plus a $500 fee that we agree to should they take control of the dog bath.” – Lisa, 00:49).

2. The Agency's Threat and Lisa's Response (05:04–08:08)

• The family feared imminent removal of the dog after the agency’s director claimed legal advice to take the dog ASAP.
• Lisa’s husband directly confronted the agency by email, systematically addressing each contract point and communicating their good intentions.
• The agency relented, replying only with “Agreed. No need for a phone call.” (Lisa, 08:05).

3. Emotional Turmoil and Repercussions (06:54–09:44)

• Lisa describes the stress on her family and how friends and family tried to intervene on their behalf.
• The rescue’s stance remained contract-focused with little empathy for the family, as expressed in a response to Lisa's father: “She sent him an extremely nasty email back saying that we broke the contract. Everything kept coming back to the contract.” (Lisa, 06:07).
• The agency’s communication included the line, “I’m in your life until the dog dies or I die,” which Lisa found disturbing (09:17).

4. Broader Debate: Rescue Agency Power vs Adoptive Family Rights (09:44–12:34)

• The co-hosts debate whether rescue agencies overreach and should let go once a good match is made.
  • “If you adopt an animal, it becomes your child and it’s your dog.” (Co-host 2, 03:29)
• Discussion of the impact of naming the specific agency and the need to protect reputable rescue agencies.
• Listeners call in, strongly recommending transparency for the sake of the public: “People need to know who's reputable and who's not.” (Nicole, Caller, 10:32).

5. Ongoing Concerns, Safety, and Severing the Relationship (09:54–12:34)

• Lisa is seeking legal advice to disentangle from the agency, especially with the agency’s name on the dog's chip.
• Despite their ordeal, Lisa recognizes, "She means well, but she is so far misguided at this point..." (Lisa, 12:34).

6. Resolution & Next Steps (12:34–15:36)

• The show leaves off by agreeing to wait one more day before naming the agency, offering the director a final chance to tell her side.
  • “We invited the woman who runs the shelter... she also attempted to forbid us from saying her name or the name of the agency, which you can’t really do because... we’re reporting this as a news story.” (Co-host 1, 12:05)
• Lisa and the hosts express relief that her family kept the dog, and the show promises ongoing support and updates.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Lisa recalls the anxiety:
  “Thursday evening was pretty rough for our family.” (05:04)

• On the agency’s cold response:
  "All we got was the email saying, you broke the contract. We want the dog back." – Lisa (06:07)

• Highlighting the oddity of lingering agency involvement:
  “The agency's name is on the dog's chip... an attorney said... probably isn't good to be linked to an agency like that long term.” – Lisa (09:54)

• On calling out bad actors:
  “You guys need to give the name out...People need to know who's reputable and who's not.” – Nicole, Listener (10:32)

• Lisa’s summary:
  “We just want the dog. We want to be done with this woman because she, you know, I don’t trust her.” (12:34)

• Co-host reflects on balance:
  “I would love to hear her perspective. I would love to hear why she is so protective... why she does what she does.” – Co-host 1 (14:07)

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• 00:49–04:46: Lisa’s initial story and contract issues
• 05:04–08:08: Confronting the agency and the change of heart
• 08:09–09:44: Immediate, terse agency communication, broader family and legal concerns
• 09:44–12:34: Ethics, reputation of agencies, transparency debate
• 12:34–15:36: Show’s action plan, Lisa’s final thoughts, moving forward

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Tone & Delivery

• The episode is heartfelt and conversational, balancing genuine concern with dry humor and practical advice. The hosts are careful to distinguish Lisa’s negative experience from the broader rescue agency community, while validating the need for clear contracts and fair treatment for adoptive families.

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Useful Takeaways for Listeners

• Always read rescue/adoption contracts closely—note clauses about training and post-adoption requirements.
• Be aware that agencies might retain legal leverage or even microchip ownership.
• It’s appropriate to seek legal advice if you feel threatened or unfairly targeted by a rescue agency.
• The rescue/adoption landscape includes both outstanding and problematic organizations; transparency and reviews matter for future adopters.
• Community advocacy (friends, family, and even radio shows) can sway agency decisions.

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Summary prepared for listeners who want to understand the episode without listening. This document highlights the episode’s main emotional beats, practical advice, and leaves you equipped to enter conversations about this issue.

Transcript

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[Host]

Listen, it's the Virt Show. Previously on the Vert Show.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

My daughter has been asking for a dog since she was 2. So we decided to use a rescue group. We had a home interview. They interviewed my six year old children, my husband. They called references. They called our in the contract part of the agreement said we would take the dog to training. This is a four year old dog that is the best trained dog I've ever met. The contract, we signed it. I had forgotten about the 90 day clause. After three months of not hearing anything from this woman, we get an email saying we need your paperwork for the class. We weren't able to take this class because of a conflict in our schedule and we're signing up for the next class. And I immediately got an email back saying we needed to turn the dog over to her plus a $500 fee that we agree to should they take control of the dog bath.

[Host]

Melissa was outraged, indicated by that. So fill in the blanks for me here real quick guys, before we get her back on. Did the rescue agency come to the house or just based on the fact that they didn't take the dog to the obedience class in that 90 days was was fact enough for them.

[Co-host 1]

We're pulling the dog, sent an email and said send me the paperwork for your obedience class that was required to

[Co-host 2]

take place in 90 days.

[Co-host 1]

Right. So they adopt a dog three months ago. They say, hey, within the next 90 days you have to take an obedience thing obedience class then. So fast forward three months. The shelter or rescue group owner sends an email to the new dog's adoptive new parents and says okay, send me the paperwork for the obedience class. And the parents say, you know what, we were traveling all last month. The dog's perfectly well behaved. We've signed up for a class in two weeks.

[Co-host 3]

It's a four year old dog yeah, so we.

[Co-host 1]

So we didn't. Yeah, so we. We don't worry about.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

We.

[Co-host 1]

We're going to take the obedience class in a couple weeks. Nobody goes, nope, that wasn't the agreement. I'm coming to take the dog, and you owe me 500 bucks.

[Host]

Whoa.

[Co-host 1]

Because there's like a fine or something, like to re. License the dog, whatever you redo to a dog.

[Host]

So going into the weekend, the agency

[Co-host 2]

was coming to take the dog.

[Host]

Coming to take the dog.

[Co-host 3]

What did the last email from the woman say? It. It will be either when I die or the dog dies that I see that I get this dog back.

[Co-host 1]

I will be a part of the dog's life.

[Co-host 2]

I'll be a part of the dog's life until I die or the dog dies. According to the rest. That particular rescue group's director.

[Host]

Well, that part. Just that last line to me makes sense. I mean, if you. If you're part of the agency, you want to make sure and just check in from time to time that the dog's still doing well. It doesn't matter if it's a month or a year, then at least just check in just to see the dog is still doing well.

[Co-host 2]

I understand that, but I feel like if you adopt an animal, it is.

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It is.

[Co-host 2]

Becomes your child and it's your dog. So I. Sometimes I do think certain agencies need to let go, you know, if they go through that. If you're going through. Because, I mean, we've talked back and forth about rescue groups and we've gotten emails from rescue groups that do great jobs. We've got rescue groups from people who complain and say that, you know, just like our caller, that are, you know, little, I don't know, questionable. But. But I think that the rescue group, the purpose is to go through all that so that they put the dog in the right place. Well, once they feel like they've done that, there's a part of me that feels like, well, it's done. It's a done deal.

[Host]

This is sort of a dangerous conversation, too, because I don't want to label every one of these agencies like this.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah, we've gotten emails from rescue groups that have been fantastic and rescue groups that haven't been. So it's like anything, some good, some bad.

[Host]

Have we said the name of this particular agency?

[Co-host 1]

We haven't yet because we were going to give them a chance to respond. But you saw the emails from Tracy yesterday. I don't know if that's going to

[Host]

happen, and they don't want to come on.

[Co-host 1]

They don't want to come on. But I'm inclined to think that we do identify it so that people know. Yeah.

[Host]

I don't want everybody to think about all of them.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah. Because, like, Melissa has mentioned a rescue group that she's had a fairly good experience.

[Co-host 2]

This is not the same. It's not the same group.

[Co-host 1]

It's a different rescue group, and I don't think it's. We have an employee at the radio station who's very involved in rescue groups. I don't think it's fair to all the rescue groups who are doing good work. So we can talk about that after we talk to Lisa.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah.

[Host]

Hey, Lisa.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Hi.

[Host]

Good morning. How are you?

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

I'm great.

[Host]

Okay, so I'm curious, after these guys talked to you on Friday, did the agency hop on the phone and did they hear about it, or did you have to call them, or was it procedure, standard procedure, where they just knocked on the door and took the dog?

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

We did get to keep the dog, is the good news. What happened was Thursday night we went to bed under the understanding that the person we were dealing with, the director, that her lawyer had advised her to come get the dog asap. So that's why we were. Thursday evening was pretty rough for our family. So the next morning, I talked to you guys, and then we had agreed that my husband would contact her because he had spoke with her earlier in the day, and initially she told him, I'm coming to get the dog on Saturday. And that's when I kind of freaked out being a mom and had emailed family and friends saying, please contact this lady and tell her that, you know, we're a good family and we're good for the dog.

[Host]

Well, let me stop you there for just one second here, because from time to time, we'll get a situation like this, and then we'll be bombarded by emails from people in the same situation. How many friends and family sent emails to this rescue agency for you that I know of?

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Probably four or five.

[Host]

Okay.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

And the initial one came from my father, who's a minister, that said, you know, this is my daughter's dog. And, you know, went on. And she sent him an extremely nasty email back saying that we broke the contract. Everything kept coming back to the contract. In three months, she never contacted us to see if the dog was doing okay or anything. All we got was the email saying, you broke the contract. We want the dog back. And so anyway, throughout the day, she. She kept saying she was taking the dog back. She was taking the dog back. And so we hadn't had any conversation with her that evening. She tried calling my husband and when my husband came home, he said, look, we need to just get the dog out of the house because this lady, you know, I don't know what her deal is, but she wants this dog back.

[Co-host 1]

So you had to take the dog to a safe house?

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

We did. We didn't do that because we didn't want to upset the kids any more than we had. But anyway, Thursday evening we went to bed thinking she was coming to get the dog and had emails saying her contract held up in court, that we were completely wrong, we broke our contract, whatever. And so the next morning my husband said, let me handle this because he knew how upset I was. And so he had. He sent her an email that specifically went through each portion of the contract and said, you know, this is how we're handling this. This is what we're doing here. This is what we're doing. And we're. When I talked to you at 10 o' clock Thursday morning, you initially said you were coming to get the dog and then you had changed your mind. And the last we heard, you've changed your mind yet again. We are planning on keeping the dog. This is class we're taking. I will call you at 10 o' clock so we can discuss this further. And that was how he had left it. Well, we got an email back and all it said was agreed. There was not in that she did not want to speak to my husband any further.

[Host]

So it was like one or two lines and just say we agreed.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Basically keep the dog agreed. No need for a phone call.

[Host]

And that was it.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

And that was it. After she had put our family through

[Co-host 3]

her health, though, you don't want the long, you know, back and forth to keep going.

[Host]

Now the bottom line is that you got to keep it up, right?

[Co-host 3]

You just.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

That's the point I made when I talked to Tracy yesterday, is that at this point we want, you know, I. I would ask that you don't give their name out because I don't want to stir up anymore because this late, I mean, she was serious.

[Co-host 2]

I don't want her to lose her dog for something we.

[Host]

I don't either, but I also. I don't know that we can accommodate that because. Hold on one sec, hold on, hold on, hold on. Cuz in the bigger picture here, the truth is, I mean, we've been talking about adoption agencies and rescue agencies now and there are dozens of them out there that are fantastic. And I don't want anybody to leave here thinking, well, that's a process I'm not going to go through based on your experience. And here now for three days, we've talked about how awful an experience you have, and I don't feel like that's the case. As far as these agencies go. That's. This is a specific. So I do feel like it is important to point out which agency this was that you had a hard time with rather than pin it on the entire industry. But I don't want you to lose your dog either.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

I don't change my opinion of this agency. And, you know, once we complete this class, we really are going to try to get some legal advice as to where to go next. And we'd like to sever the relationship just because of the way she treated us. At one point, she. She put in an email that she didn't care about our family or my children, only the dog. And, I mean, it just doesn't seem like a safe situation. But in the end, she did let us keep the dog, so we are very thankful to her for that.

[Co-host 2]

Well, now, when you're done with this obedience class, are you done? Is there any other obligation contractually that you have with her?

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

There really isn't a clear time frame in the contract, and that's what we want to get, you know, checked out because it. It really wasn't clear. And when she made the comment about I'm in your life until the dog dies or I die, that just kind of scared us. And then the agency's name is on the dog, Chip. And I've spoken with an attorney that said, you know, let's. For safety reason, you have a family that probably isn't good to be linked to an agency like that long term.

[Co-host 1]

So.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah, well, my. The reason I asked is I just didn't know whether we wait until she's done with these obedience classes so that she definitely does get to keep her dog. But.

[Host]

Hey, Nicole, Good morning. You're on Q100.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Good morning. I just wanted to say you guys need to give the name out. My husband and I rescued dogs. We deal with people like this, and people need to know who's reputable and who's not.

[Host]

I do feel that there's a responsibility. I really do.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Yeah. Because I'll be honest with you. There are so many animals in shelters, and this woman is going to be. Is going to be this way because of an obedience class. Get a life, lady.

[Co-host 3]

Well, Hal, it does seem like this microscopic, you know, like they're so focused in on all of these details on this one dog. When she's right, that caller's right. There's so many dogs out there that need to be adopted. There's so many animals that need homes. Why they are expending so much energy on this one dog rather than, you know what I mean, than, you know, spreading out that energy to getting other dogs adopted. It just seems like nobody's taking a step back in this situation. Like take a step back and breathe and look at the overall situation.

[Co-host 2]

But she came. I guess I just want to figure out a way that we can, you know, call out this agency, but also protect her and her family because she came to us with this information and now I don't want to do something to.

[Host]

Well, we're going to continue to talk to you and get updates. So if this particular agency still chooses to kind of mess with you here a little bit or take the dog away, then we'll certainly be on top of that.

[Co-host 1]

But don't you guys feel like now here's.

[Host]

We're doing a tremendous disservice to the entire industry. Yes, this is what we are.

[Co-host 2]

I just don't want her 6 year old daughter to have a tragic ripped dog away because we, you know, and

[Co-host 1]

just so that we are, you know, all the facts are out there on the table. We invited the woman who runs the shelter.

[Co-host 2]

Yes.

[Co-host 1]

The rescue group in question on the air with us. And not only did she say that she would not come on the air with us, but she also attempted to forbid us from saying her name or the name of the agency, which you can't really do because, I mean, we're reporting this as a news story.

[Host]

It's that weird freedom of speech thing.

[Co-host 1]

Yeah. So we did give her the opportunity to come on the air and explain her point of view.

[Co-host 3]

That's good. So it's not, I feel like it's more fair.

[Co-host 1]

It's not like we're ambushing her.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

But I will say is, I think she means well, but she is so far misguided at this point or at least in what we experienced to the point that, you know, my husband was scared for our family. He didn't want me to come on the radio station this morning because he's like, we've got the dog. You know, I've talked to this lady. You don't know how crazy she is. You know, she's not, she means well, but she's at this point point so far. And I don't know if it's because she's seen horrible things or what. But, you know, we just want the dog in our. We want to keep the dog. We're a good family. We love the animal. We want to be done with this woman because she, you know, I don't trust her. And the other irony is that a few hours, not even hours after my husband got the email from her, we got an invitation to a get together reunion of all the dogs.

[Co-host 1]

Are you going?

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

And no.

[Co-host 2]

Yeah, I.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

And I mean, it was all I could do not to respond and say, are you out of your mind, woman?

[Host]

Right.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

But you know, I restrained myself.

[Co-host 3]

Yeah. Just cut it off at this point.

[Host]

Hey, Colleen, good morning. You're on Q100.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Yes. I think you should definitely turn in the agency. I think the woman is obviously after the money and I think if they brought up an attorney, then they would definitely have nothing to do. They would definitely let her keep the dog because I think she has a legal leg to stand on.

[Host]

It's just this one doesn't even feel, I'm not even conflicted about this one.

[Co-host 1]

Here's what I think. Here's where I think we kind of meet in the middle on it. I think we wrap up with Lisa today, let her go extend. Tell the woman that we are without a doubt going to identify the agency at this time tomorrow, give her one last chance to come on and then if she doesn't tomorrow at this time, we. Without Lisa on the phone because I don't want Lisa to feel like that there's no connection between Lisa and Lisa's dog and this woman. So that way, you know, there's no drama going on there and we just, we do it tomorrow. We give her one chance like she can come on and have. How long has Lisa been on the air? There's 10 minutes now. She can have explain her point of view. We'll ask her questions. I would love to hear her perspective. I would love to hear why she is so protective. What happened that causes her to be so on top of this and attach to the dog and leaving her agency's name on the chip and all that. I would love to have her come on and share her point of view and explain why she does what she does.

[Host]

Well, we gave her the last 24 hours to do that, but I mean, if we want to totally be completely sure about it, then sure, let's do it tomorrow. And again, the reason why I want to do this is I don't want the other agencies, rescue agencies that are doing great work to be penalized because of this one instance at this one place, right? So if we have to wait one more day just to be 100% in the way we're gonna handle it. Then let's wait one day. That's fine.

[Co-host 1]

You said penalized.

[Host]

Lisa, thanks for sharing your story. I'm glad you got to keep the dog.

[Co-host 2]

Good luck and get rid of her.

[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

Thank you.

[Host]

I will be in touch.

[Co-host 1]

I hope you don't get penalized again.

[Host]

Listen, it's the vert show.

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[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

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[Lisa (Caller with dog rescue story)]

So good.

[Host]

So good. So good.

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