Susan Malone wrote:
>...She is coming over Saturday to (supposedly) sign the contract and draw
>up a contract of her *rights* to reclaim or sell him.  Personally I think
>I should get her to sign the contract and then point out that she has
>violated several of my policies and endangered the animal, which according
>TO the contract, I have now repossesed him,
 
Susan, that contract that you (And other shelter operators) have customers
sign will not hold up in a court of law.  Even the most stringent of laws
forced upon purchasers, community covenants, cannot and do not allow a home
to be taken away in the event of a gross violation of those CCR's.  They
can and do provide for penalties that the courts has upheld.
 
We citizens of the United States, do NOT have the right to sign away our
rights.  Any contract that we sign that says we have to give something
back if we don't follow rules, whether written or verbal, is vague and open
to too much interpretation.  (Who determines the extent of such things as:
neglect, improper housing/care, food, etc.?  What are your qualifications?
[Are you a certified diet specialist, etc.?])
 
Before you attempt to enforce your contract, you need to seek the services
of a good civil attorney.  Otherwise, if you attempt to prevent the lady
from possessing her property, you could be guilty of a criminal act and
subject to arrest.
 
As galling as this may be, it demands that you look very carefully into
what your rights are, as the breeder/seller of the ferret.  Again, this
is going to entail the services of a lawyer.
 
For Our Ferrets
 
MC
(With Garret, Snorkle, and Tuzigoot.  In spirit, Bubba and Billy-Bob)
[Posted in FML issue 2994]