[yorkieK9trainer]

"I would hope that even if she did have a chip that a vet "assuming she was found as a stray" would go ahead and spay anyway due to that fact that the person who "found" had to take her in for a c-section. but you never really know what another person will do. i just hope that she can get her spayed and ideally not have her return to this man at all."

I would agree w/ you, however the vet must cover his own rear end and assume that each and every new client that comes through his door is not telling the truth. He should assess what he can off of his examination first, then listen to the client. You see, what happened if she took this dog to a vet (not the same one that would've done the c-section) and this vet spayed this unchipped/chipped dog w/o contacting the "rightful owners" (the info of the chip if there is one), the vet potentially could have a ethical breeder or owner coming after them legally. There are number of ways this vet could get in trouble...I can see it now where an ethical breeder/handler comes into this vet's office and screams: "You spayed my bitch, she can no longer compete in AKC conformation! She got loose for christ's sake-it happens! I posted fliers, scoured the neighborhood and it seems that the woman that brought this dog into your office lied and simply kept my bitch hidden from me!....." And so it goes. Before jumping in on a spay for a new patient and new client, the vet (imo) really should be cautious. I'd HATE it if this happened, where my bitch who just had puppies maybe got loose and I couldn't find her and when I finally did, discover that she has been taken in for a spay from someone off the street wanting to keep her as a pet. Now, this wouldn't happen because I'm not a breeder of any sort, but you must wonder about all the what if's.