Goatsitting, now owner refuses to get her goats, ignoring me

[homesteadinmama]

Sounds like she gave you some free goats. Sorry for you are going through all the mess, but if you want to keep them then do it. If you don't want them then sell them on cl or give them to that rescue place. No contract, and you have possesion = your goats to do with as you wish

 

[CityGirlintheCountry]

Send her a bill for boarding them dated from the time you first asked her to come get them. She is using you. Send that to her with one last request to come get them. Tell her in the letter that if she doesn't retrieve them by X date that you will consider them abandoned and will keep them as payment for the back boarding fees. Post it on Facebook, through email and through a registered letter if you know her address. The ads in the newspaper are good too. If she has not retrieved them by whatever date you pick, then they are yours to dispose of as you see fit. Keep them as your goats or sell them to cover the costs so far. She has been told and fairly warned. If it makes you nervous, you might check with your local police or sheriff to make sure of the legality of it all.

She is using you for free room and board. Don't let her. Be firm. Be precise. Be clear about what you expect and when you expect it.

 

[karlamaria]

Quote:
Exactly. Keep them or give them away, there yours and if she comes back at you the emails will prove your case.

 

[redhen]

Give her ONE more warning. The goats are going up for sale in ONE week. Either come and get them by then or they are gone. (and YOU keep the money..) She seems to have given them to you.... you can now sell them. And the no contract thing?? Thats a good thing in this case. IMO
One word of advice. After you send her that e-mail, dont get into big details on how you leased them from her..etc...
She can maybe use that aganist you.... just keep any e-mails short and to the point.

 

[RHRanch]

I would tell her if she doesn't get them by the end of the week, you will consider them abandoned, and that you will then sell them to recoup your expenses. Keep all correspondence and all of your feed bills.

 

[welasharon]

...and for heavens sake don't pay her for them. That would be crazy! Isn't it a shame you can't try to help people?
sharon

 

[Abirdbrain]

To the contrary, offer her $100 for the three. She is probably in dire straits, and cannot care for them. That would make it a Win-Win. Much better than fight with authorities and a missing owner. Much better to get some co-operation going.

Most abandonment laws are 30 days ofter notice. Then you can dispose of the item.

 

[Raen]

You guys are awesome, this is making me feel much better. I'm leaning toward sending her an official notice that they will be forfeited if she doesn't get them by the end of the week, on both e-mail and facebook, and also posting a general announcement on craigslist. I can't think of a way to find her address, I have no idea where she works and I know she moved recently. Google is no help. I do have all correspondence from her (or lack there-of), and I really think that would be sufficient to prove my case if she ever tried to go after me, which I don't think she'd do because obviously she does not have her sh*t together. I tried to call my local police to ask about forfeiture laws, and got an answering machine. Small town.

 

[ranchhand]

Do you have her previous address? Most people file a forwarding address.

 

[Raen]

No, no address at all.