Comments on: What happens when married people with pets, divorce?

By: sniffydogs

sniffydogs — Tue, 05 May 2009 22:04:03 +0000

Most of the time the dog gets dumped at the shelter. I wish there would be more people who would get into custody battles over dogs or say; Gee, I’m going to get a rescued dog because the spouse got the dog. Then again I have a rich fantasy life…….

By: mominohio

mominohio — Tue, 05 May 2009 10:01:32 +0000

For my exhusband and I we just decided for me to find homes for all but 1 dog and I took the last dog with me (we had 6 dogs). For some though fights last for awhile over who should keep the animal(s) and can actually get pretty bad with the fighting like seen with children. In some cases the couples agree to share the animal(s) and they take turns keep him/her for a week or two at a time. Sometimes though the spouses end up in different states in which case they have to just work out who will keep the animal and since animals are unfortuantly considered property the courts handle them as such. If there is more than one animal involved they can be split up. It is just best on everyone if the couple makes a decision themselves and puts it in writing because the courts are rarely wanting to get involved in an animal dispute.

By: Val

Val — Sat, 02 May 2009 03:33:34 +0000

well, im married with 2 dogs. Me and hubby ahve already decided what will happen. You talk about it as simple as that. Plus, i love them both so it wouldnt really matter which one i would keep. It is only fair at the end of the day to have one each. If its only one dog instead, it would be fair to see who can give the dog a better place to live (an apartment versus a big garden for example).

By: txharleygirl1

txharleygirl1 — Thu, 30 Apr 2009 00:12:36 +0000

Pets are treated like property, if one party can’t agree on who gets pet, the judge usually orders it sold (if AKC or similar) and the money divided equally or if a mutt given to a shelter. Usually when that happens, one party gives in and lets the other have the pet to prevent its sale/adoption.
Ocasionally, if one person can prove their money bought the dog, paid for vet bills, etc….they get the animal.

By: Darby

Darby — Mon, 27 Apr 2009 15:14:41 +0000

Good question and I wonder, too. I am a caregiver for two pets right now and hope either the husband or wife still want them or will have a place for them after the divorce. I think it depends on the living arrangements the people make once they split. Pets like any other marital possessions can be something to fight over or use as leverage or bargaining, whatever you call it. My daughter-in-law really had to have the dogs, but once I told her to come and get them, the desire faded to nothing. She can come visit them or take them anytime she wants to. She has trouble lifting a 7 pound bag of food though, so giving them food becomes a problem for her. And she’s too much of a girlie-girl to also pick up their poop.