Currently the ASPCA, HSUS, NoahsWish, etc in NO is accepting "signed over" pets with the condition that the owners may reclaim them ASAP.
It may only be a temporary thing on their part, due to the circumstances but the guy *may* have understood it as such.
[not everyone understands the fine print of contractual law, you know]
The paperwork serves as a paper trail between the animal and owner, if and when the owner comes to reclaim the animal.
I'm not your enemy, here.
I'll thank you to remember that.
Good grief. Where in the world did you get the impression that I thought you were??