Joan’s answer: I certainly can empathize with your predicament, and it makes sense that you would want to live with your father. He is your closest living relative, after all. However, it’s not quite as simple as that. A judge has to decide what is in your best interests, based on all the possible options. It sounds as if your aunt has gone to court and requested and been granted at least some kind of guardianship/custodianship or something along those line, likely through juvenile dependency court. Unless it’s turned into a permanent guardianship or adoption, it can possibly undone if your father is interested in stepping up and telling the court he can and wants to have custody of you instead. He would need to participate in the court case and show that he is stable enough to care for you full-time.

I wish you the best of luck!
Take care.

Joan’s answer: That does not sound like animal abuse, although it might be considered neglect. Regardless, a groomer is not a mandatory reporter like a veterinarian. Rest assured the best thing you can do for your pets right now is to take them to a groomer and help them be free of their “severe” mats. Or do the best you can at home to remote the mats and make them more comfortable in the meantime.

Best of luck!

Joan’s answer: I am sorry to hear about your situation. However, it sounds like you are going to need to go back to court regardless if you want the court to reexamine or reconsider its decisions. Without more information about what went wrong, what you want fixed and how long it’s been since your last court hearing, it is difficult to advise you further.

Best,
Joan