Aunt posts adoption notice for niece's dog on Facebook without owner's knowledge: 'You have 2 days or I'll find a shelter that will take this mutt'

Author image for JR Atkinson
JR Atkinson • Writer and Editor
Feb 17, 2026 10:00 PM EST

What would you do if you saw an adoption notice for your own dog?

Nobody likes to be rug-pulled. You would hate to show up to your job to find someone sitting in your desk or come home to find that someone had sold your couch. These are pretty far-out situations, but sometimes life will throw something your way that you could have never expected. And you just have to roll with it. Life tests us sometimes and pushes our boundaries just to see how far we will go. That's what happened in this story, where someone living with a family member encountered a problem she never thought she'd encounter. 

Living with family is not easy, especially if you're in a tough situation. It's nice to be able to rely on family for these types of things, and to pick you up when you're down. But sometimes the help you need comes with some strings attached, and doesn't end up being worth it in the first place. Sometimes living with family is more trouble than it's worth, and you might end up worse off than when you started. It's not your fault that things went wrong, but it's just the way the cookie crumbled. But you're responsible for your own boundaries when living with family. If they do something you don't like, it's on you to communicate that and make sure it never happens again. But enforcing boundaries is much easier said than done, and can incur a lot of stress along the way. 

Add as a preferred
source on Google
Advertisement
  • A woman sits on the couch holding her dog, looking upset.
    via Melania Matacena

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • That's what happened here, where a woman living with her aunt came across a difficult situation. She needed somewhere to live with her dog, and her aunt offered help. But she knew that it wouldn't come without some hidden costs. She knew her aunt had a volatile history, and it was only a matter of time before she got wrapped up in it herself. Then, one day, she came across a Facebook post that shook her to her core. She wasn't sure how to proceed, so she turned to the internet for a little bit of advice. Scroll to read what happened.

  • Am I overreacting? My aunt posted on facebook that she's looking for someone that can adopt my dog. Even called her a "mutt"

    137 Aunt A All Photos Reels Write post Share photo Adopt this mutt. Message me if youre interested. Ill pay for gas. is this for real? uve got to be joking right?!! sent me this and i checked your facebook profile to confirm. please take the post down. i already dm'ed the 2 people that said theyre interested + You have 2 days or I'll find a shelter that will take this mutt. Yes I'm being for real, I can't deal with iMessage Delivered KO Q
    via u/General_Leave1814
  • 137 Aunt A E is this for real? uve got to be joking right?!! sent me this and i checked your facebook profile to confirm. please take the post down. i already dm'ed the 2 people that said theyre interested You have 2 days or I'll find a shelter that will take this mutt. Yes I'm being for real, I can't deal with the constant barking. please take down your post. can we talk about this after work? iMessage Delivered
    via u/General_Leave1814
  • Im currently staying with my aunt for like 3 weeks now since its closer to my new job. She basically offered her place when I reached out asking about the area.
    via u/General_Leave1814
  • I didn't like the idea of staying with her since she's been known for being an alc ic and volatile. I expected crazy, but not this kind of crazy. Our agreement is I'll do all the chores, clean up after my dog and give her 400 before I move out. Ive been nothing but respectful and been holding the end of my bargain and I even do her laundry.
    via u/General_Leave1814
  • Now im scared that ill get home without my dog around. But at the same time, I'm waiting for my next paycheck which is 2 weeks from now to have enough money to put toward rent deposit. I'm considering of taking several payday loans so I can finally move out. using a ta account to not be doxed
    via u/General_Leave1814

  • Commenters agreed that this was totally inappropriate.

    Simple_Tip5496 I would not trust her to be alone with that dog.
    via u/Simple_Tip5496
  • A woman sits on the couch at her aunt's house with her dog.
    via Shiva Hemmat

    Image is representative only and does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • ewas000 NOR. I'd reach out to any shelters near you. Most of them have crisis foster programs. I'm sorry you're dealing with this.
    via u/ewas000
  • Danny2Sick NOR if you can you should get outta there! don't live with this person
    via u/Danny2Sick
  • ARTISTAI This is theft as it stands, i'd screenshot posts and report that bso fast! I'd never speak to her again, and wouldn't be at her funeral.
    via u/ARTISTAI
  • Due_Wall8540 You need to take your dog and move out ASAP, whether you have the means to or not. If she truly is a mentally ill alc ic she'll find a way to get rid of your dog, whether that means rehoming or dumping them somewhere.
    via u/Due_Wall8540
  • Substantial_Gat... I don't think that you're overreacting at all. It's unfair for her to offer her home to you knowing that you would be coming with your dog, and then three weeks later attempting to rehome your dog. I would avoid taking out any payday loans (learned
    via u/Substantial_Gate9013
  • the hard way during co id) due to their horrendous interest rates, but I can definitely understand being upset about the situation. Hopefully you can reason with your aunt enough to spare you two more weeks until you get paid and can afford a security deposit on your own place.
    via u/Substantial_Gate9013
  • Ok-Star-5561 Is there anyway you can speak to your employer to get an advance on your paycheck? I had a roommate who once threatened to k l my dog while I was at work so I spoke to my boss and told her, and asked if I could bring my dog to work for the week until I figured
    via u/Ok-Star-5561
  • something else out and they said sure. So many ppl are pet ppl, so maybe try talking to your employer first? See if there's anything you can work out together. I'm so sorry, and I hope your pup stays safe, and you as well ▲
    via u/Ok-Star-5561
  • TheBigGreen I know that this is just a Band-Aid for the issue, but is there anyone that you trust that could watch your dog or house your dog until you get paid?
    via u/TheBigGreen
  • Driving over to their house. to feed your dog and spend time with it seems like a worthy sacrifice to avoid the risk of coming home to an empty house because your aunt has given your dog. away.
    via u/TheBigGreen
  • Head_Trick_9932 Do you have any friends that would foster your dog until you get another place? I wouldn't trust leaving my dog alone with her.
    via u/Head_Trick_9932
  • Enough Speed... Make sure that you have the dog microchipped and that it's active under your name. Reach out to local rescues, vets, and shelters if you need assistance with affording the microchip or anything else for the dog.
    via u/Enough_Speed8050
  • She cannot legally give away your dog if you have proof of ownership, including providing food or even texts that she knowingly offered you and the dog a home. Also, get out ASAP.
    via u/Enough_Speed8050
  • Mercuryshottoo See if you can find a friend to watch your dog for a couple of weeks until you get a paycheck and a new place
    via u/Mercuryshottoo
  • Davesatdoasisbar I see that dog "getting out" or getting into some "cleaning supply" and not making it. Better get that dog out when you get home.
    via u/Davesatdoasisbar
  • Fit-Turnover3918 Not sure how old you are, but you're old enough to own another living being, so the truth isn't going to feel good.
    via u/Fit-Turnover3918
  • You need to be able to support your own life if you want to commit to owning an animal. The fact that you were willing to move in with a family member who has known problems with alc ol abe and personality issues tells me your priorities are a little off.
    via u/Fit-Turnover3918
  • Do whatever you need to do in order to get a lease signed. You owe it to yourself and the dog you've committed to.
    via u/Fit-Turnover3918
  • sweetrottenapple NOR, but you should do something with your dog constantly barking. Respect your future neighbors and their peace in their own home. I'd be more than upset if I had to listen to my neighbours dog all day long.
    via u/sweetrottenapple

Want More? Follow Us and Add Us as a Preferred Source on Google.

Tags

dog parent family drama dogs living together niece facebook aunt family
Scroll Down For The Next Article