How Can I Get My Rabbits Back From an Unresponsive Shipping Company in Ohio?
Start a free AI-assisted chat and connect with an experienced Ohio attorney, with no obligation.
Reviewed & verified by A. Jason Velez, Esq.*
Managing Attorney, 1LAW · Last reviewed January 1, 2026
Legal Inquiry
Consumer Legal Issue
I purchased rabbits from a farm on Facebook. The agreed-upon price didn't include the shipping crate air-conditioning unit, and now the shipping company will no longer reply to me and has my rabbits. What can I do?
1. They agreed upon price was noted several times in our communications via messenger and we both confirmed the rate was $200 that include included the shipping. Not the $260 additional for the air-conditioned crate from the shipping company. 2. The seller noted that if I was to pay which it was supposed to be 100% refundable, then everything would go through as it was supposed to. They noted that the farm would be liable for animal, cruelty or animal neglect as I would not pay the cost to get the animals. I tried to look up on the website about the refund policy and the link didn’t go anywhere.
Attorney Answer
You are dealing with two separate problems here: a disagreement over what the $200 was supposed to cover, and a shipping company that now has your rabbits and will not respond, which is the more urgent issue.
Messages exchanged over Facebook Messenger can serve as solid evidence of what you and the seller actually agreed to, especially since you both confirmed in writing that the $200 price included shipping, before the shipping company later demanded $260 more for an air-conditioned crate. Save and back up that entire conversation now, since Facebook messages can become harder to access later. Screenshot or export the full thread to your email or another device.
For the shipping company itself, since they currently have physical possession of animals that belong to you and are not responding, treat this as urgent. Contact them through every channel they offer, including phone, email, and any online contact form, and write down the date and time of each attempt, since a documented pattern of no response matters if you need to escalate this. If the shipper operates commercially across state lines, the U.S. Department of Agriculture's Animal Care division sometimes has jurisdiction over how commercial animal transporters operate, so filing a complaint there is worth trying alongside your other efforts.
If you already paid the extra $260, contact your bank or card issuer about disputing the charge, since the service you paid for has not actually been delivered.
What to do right now:
1. Back up your full Messenger conversation with the seller today. 2. Contact the shipping company through every available channel and log each attempt. 3. If you paid by card, start a dispute with your bank for the undelivered service. 4. If the animals' welfare seems at risk, contact a local humane society or animal control near the shipping company to request a welfare check. 5. Consider Ohio's small claims court, under Ohio Revised Code 1925.02, which handles disputes up to $6,000 without needing a lawyer, if this does not resolve informally.
The seller's suggestion that you would be responsible for animal cruelty or neglect for not paying a fee you never agreed to is not, on its own, a real legal claim against you, but keep your records solid regardless.
This is general legal information, not legal advice. A local Ohio consumer protection attorney can advise you if this does not resolve quickly.
*Attorney review is supported by AI-assisted drafting and legal research algorithms. Use of this Chat does not create an attorney-client relationship.
By using this service you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.
Courts & Legal Aid in Ohio
- File or look up a case through the Supreme Court of Ohio, which serves the state.
- Get free civil legal help from Ohio Legal Help.
- Use the LSC — Find Legal Aid to find a local legal-aid office by ZIP code.
- Use the LawHelp.org to browse free legal information and self-help resources.
- Use the ABA Lawyer Referral Directory to get matched with a local attorney through your state bar.
- Visit FTC — Report Fraud to report scams and deceptive business practices.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are agreements made over Facebook Messenger legally binding in Ohio?
Written electronic communications can serve as strong evidence of an agreement's terms, especially when both parties confirmed the price and details in writing. Save the full message history right away.
Can the shipping company legally keep my rabbits if I do not pay the extra fee?
Not if that fee was never part of your original agreement. Holding your property while refusing to communicate can support a legal claim against them, so document every contact attempt.
What can I do if I already paid the extra shipping charge?
If you paid by card, ask your bank about disputing the charge for a service that was not delivered. You can also pursue the shipping company in small claims court for the value of your animals and any losses.
