Independent Pet Sitter With “abandoned” Dog In My Care. Help!

Location: Cobb County, Georgia, USA

Hello everyone, I’m a newer independent dog sitter on the side. I mainly take clients through Rover, but I also have the occasional independent client.

Recently, I took on this dog because the owner moved out of state and his sister was taking care of it. The sister received a letter from her apartment complex indicating that she had to get rid of the dog or face eviction. This was around February 21st, 2026. Hence why they contacted me. I told them that I’d be willing to take on the dog until March 22nd, but no later since I had someone moving in and I knew for a fact the dogs weren’t going to get along.

It’s now April 6th, and the dog hasn’t been picked up. The owner is looking for a way to get his dog out of state, but is not yet entirely settled. Meanwhile, I haven’t been paid by him, for the last four weeks. I even told him to find another sitter, which he has been unsuccessful with.

I presented him the option of rehoming his dog, and he indicated that that would be the last option, but he’d consider it. I have a coworker who’d be willing to adopt the dog, so the dog hasn’t wouldn’t be in the streets, homeless or in a shelter.

The owner hasn’t given me any update or indication of the status regarding what he plans to do with the dog other than having a lot going on and figuring it out.

My coworker would potentially willing to foster the dog, but would prefer adoption since the owner seems to be irresponsible.

I need help. What do I do? Should I go to the shelter and report abandonment and have my coworker adopt the dog? Would that make me a butthole? What options do I have?

The dog is sweet, but requires a lot of work, and I have other pets coming in. I cannot keep her. This is obviously not her fault in any way, shape or form, and I want what is best for her, but I cannot continue to house her.