How Do I Keep My Dogs In A Divorce?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Whatever the specifics of the arrangement, in relatively amicable divorces,

sharing custody of the dog

can be a great way to keep your pet active and satisfied, and let each person maintain a relationship with their beloved pet. As a bonus, sharing the dog can help a divorced couple remain friends.

What happens to pets during a divorce?

In every state except for Alaska and Illinois, the family pet is classified as property – just like the living room couch or the kitchen oven. What that means is

the dog can be sold, just like any other piece of furniture, between the divorcing spouses

. If you are a pet owner, you most likely take issue with this.

Should you separate dogs in a divorce?


Pets should not be considered property during a

. They have feelings and can experience grief and stress. Taking them away from their other furry friends can cause a lot of anxiety and confusion, on top of the other stressful changes that may be occurring.

How do pets get divided in a divorce?

Pets Are No Longer Just Physical Property

Up until the new law was enacted, California courts treated pets like other physical, inanimate property such as furniture, cars, and other belongings.

The family dog, cat, or another pet would be considered a part of the property to be divided when the marriage ended

.

Can my ex take me to court over a dog?


Yes, she can take you to court

. The question will be “who owns or who gets the dog.” I would get all your ducks in a row – proof of payment of purchase price, proof of payment of veterinary bills, microchip registration (if in your name)…

Does divorce Affect Dogs?

Dogs view their owners as family, much as we do.

In a divorce, they've essentially lost a parent

. And if you have more than one dog, they potentially lose a brother or sister, too. These feelings can result in separation anxiety and depression.

How can I legally get my dog back from my ex?

If your former partner already has taken your pet with them,

coming to an agreement together

may be the best chance you have of getting your pet back. If you end up having to take them to court and they already have possession of the animal, chances are the court will end up awarding custody to them.

Is a dog considered an asset?

While animal lovers across the country may consider the family dog, cat, or other animal to be a part of the family,

the law considers an animal to be an asset

.

What do you do if someone won't give your pet back?

  1. Call the police right away and ask to file a report. …
  2. Give the HomeAgain lost pet recovery service the details of the alleged theft. …
  3. Call all of the shelters, veterinary offices, and grooming salons in your town and neighboring towns.

What happens when dogs are separated?

Separation anxiety describes dogs that usually are overly attached or dependent on family members.

They become extremely anxious and show distress behaviors such as vocalization, destruction, or house soiling

when separated from the owners.

Are dogs affected when a family member moves out?


Dogs can be sensitive to changes in their lives, just as humans can be

. A family member going off to college, the arrival of a new baby, a change in the family's work or school schedule — all of these can upset a dog's routine and trigger troubling behavior changes.

Do dogs get sad when separated from owner?


Separation anxiety is triggered when dogs become upset because of separation from their guardians, the people they're attached to

. Escape attempts by dogs with separation anxiety are often extreme and can result in self-injury and household destruction, especially around exit points like windows and doors.

Are dogs considered family members?

“Dogs and cats are treated like children, siblings, grandchildren. In fact, the American Veterinary Medical Association found that

85 percent of dog-owners and 76 percent of cat-owners think of their pets as family

.” The science of sociology devotes little research to the concept of multi-species families, she says.

Is a pet an asset?


Pets are considered property, just like any other asset

, no matter how meaningful or deep your attachment to them may be. So, in the event of a divorce where pet ownership is in dispute, the court has to consider a number of factors similar those that would be considered during a child custody hearing.

Are dogs considered family?

Because

pets are considered family members by many people

, the loss of a dog or cat is often a cause for deep grief. A missing or dead pet is hard for many to replace because the relationship between the person and pet was specific to those individuals.

Should I let my ex keep the dog?

Chances are, your ex might not even be capable of handling a pet. If this is the case, no matter how much they insist,

don't let them have your dog

. Even if they are responsible and you still don't wish to share a pet with them, it's alright. Sometimes it's okay to put your interests first.

How can I share my dog with my ex?

  1. Decide if there will be a primary caregiver.
  2. Make a calendar or spreadsheet for sharing time.
  3. Create a savings account for expenses.
  4. Keep the dog on the same routine in both homes.
  5. When in doubt, get legal advice.
  6. Get a prenuptial agreement for dogs (i.e. a “pupnup”)

What can I do if my ex stole my dog?

As mentioned above, if you believe someone stole your dog, you can consider

filing a police report stating that your dog has been stolen

. The police may take action or they may say they don't get involved in “civil” disputes (which means you have to pursue your dispute in court).

Can a dog have 2 homes?

Dog Sharing can take many forms

Here's how it works:

A dog can be shared with an average of 2 – 3 families

. The dog would stay at each family's house for an agreed upon time, say 1 – 3 days. Both families equally share or will decide upon who will pay for the dog's expenses: Vet visits, food, grooming, and supplies.

What is proof of ownership of a dog?

Proof of ownership of a dog will vary from family to family but can include such matters as evidence of a purchase, registration with the Kennel Club, evidence that the dog in question is micro-chipped with the micro-chip registered to the family, veterinary records, insurance etc.

Is a dog microchip proof of ownership?

Is my dog's microchip proof of ownership?

No

. Under the new Microchipping of Dogs (England) Regulations legislation, the person who primarily cares for the dog and keeps them in their home is called a ‘keeper', not an ‘owner'.

Can my boyfriend take my dog?


The only legal way that he could take your dogs from you is if he sued you in court and won

. He has absolutely no right or reason to come onto your property and steal your dogs. If you do not have a protection order are ready, it might be worth it for you To get one.

Can dogs be depreciated?


The cost of the dog itself must be depreciated over seven years or deducted in one year

using IRS Code Section 179.

Is a dog part of an estate?


The pet will either be included as a part of the “estate,”

and legal ownership will be transferred to the beneficiary, or it will be sent to a shelter. Sadly, what happens to your dog when you the owner dies is it may be destined for a shelter.

Are animals considered part of estate?


Pets are considered a type of property

and legally cannot own property on their own. If you leave an inheritance to your animals or name them as beneficiaries of your estate in any way, those assets will not transfer as you intended.

Diane Mitchell
Author
Diane Mitchell
Diane Mitchell is an animal lover and trainer with over 15 years of experience working with a variety of animals, including dogs, cats, birds, and horses. She has worked with leading animal welfare organizations. Diane is passionate about promoting responsible pet ownership and educating pet owners on the best practices for training and caring for their furry friends.