• DVM360_Conference_Charlotte,NC_banner
  • ACVCACVC
  • DVM 360
  • Fetch DVM 360Fetch DVM 360
DVM 360
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care
By Role
AssociatesOwnersPractice ManagerStudentsTechnicians
Subscriptions
dvm360 Newsletterdvm360 Magazine
News
All News
Association
Breaking News
Education
Equine
FDA
Law & Ethics
Market Trends
Medical
Politics
Products
Recalls
Regulatory
Media
dvm360 LIVE!™
Expert Interviews
The Vet Blast Podcast
Medical World News
Pet Connections
The Dilemma Live
Vet Perspectives™
Weekly Newscast
dvm360 Insights™
Publications
All Publications
dvm360
Firstline
Supplements
Vetted
Clinical
All Clinical
Anesthesia
Animal Welfare
Behavior
Cardiology
CBD in Pets
Dentistry
Dermatology
Diabetes
Emergency & Critical Care
Endocrinology
Equine Medicine
Exotic Animal Medicine
Feline Medicine
Gastroenterology
Imaging
Infectious Diseases
Integrative Medicine
Nutrition
Oncology
Ophthalmology
Orthopedics
Pain Management
Parasitology
Surgery
Toxicology
Urology & Nephrology
Virtual Care
Business
All Business
Business & Personal Finance
Hospital Design
Personnel Management
Practice Finances
Practice Operations
Wellbeing & Lifestyle
Continuing Education
Conferences
Conference Listing
Conference Proceedings
Upcoming dvm360 Conferences
Resources
CBD in Pets
CE Requirements by State
Contests
Partners
Spotlight Series
Team Meeting in a Box
Toolkit
Top Recommended Veterinary Products
Vet to Vet
Veterinary Heroes
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

Advertisement
By Role
  • Associates
  • Owners
  • Practice Manager
  • Students
  • Technicians
Subscriptions
  • dvm360 Newsletter
  • dvm360 Magazine
  • Contact Us
  • Fetch DVM360 Conference
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Privacy
  • Do Not Sell My Information
  • About Us
  • MJHLS Brand Logo

© 2023 MJH Life Sciences™ and dvm360 | Veterinary News, Veterinarian Insights, Medicine, Pet Care. All rights reserved.

New law changes pet custody options in California divorce cases

October 29, 2018

Judges now have authority to decide who keeps the family pet in divorce the same way child custody is handled.

Diflope - stock.adobe.com

A new law has been passed in California that grants judges the authority to decide who gets custody of the family pet in divorces cases, much as they decide child custody, according to the Associated Press (AP). Until now, pets have been considered property, a status that puts them in the same category as material items like TVs and vehicles.

A new bill signed by California Gov. Jerry Brown states that pets will still be considered community property, but the judge deciding who gets to keep the pet will be able to consider things like who feeds the pet, takes it to the veterinarian and walks it, the AP reports.

Advertisement

“I think it's a good idea. I personally have a little rescue bichon poodle named Rodney King Stone. He's like a family member,” family law attorney Megan Green of Los Angeles tells the AP, who has seen her share of couples battle bitterly over their pets in divorce cases.

Without the law, which goes into effect Jan. 1, judges have had to get creative. According to the AP, some judges have tried to figure out which owner the pet liked better, or if the family had two pets, a judge would suggest splitting them up.

Assemblyman Bill Quirk (D), who introduced the law, feels pets should have the status they deserve-as family members. He found support from the governor, who has a photo of the “first dog,” complete with biography, on his official website.

Related Content:

Market TrendsLaw & EthicsBreaking News
Embrace Pet Insurance joins acclaimed pet insurance marketplace
Embrace Pet Insurance joins acclaimed pet insurance marketplace
The biggest legal threat to veterinary professionals
The biggest legal threat to veterinary professionals
5 pillars of success for building a stronger veterinary practice
5 pillars of success for building a stronger veterinary practice

Advertisement

Latest News

Learning more about AmeriVet

Announcing our 2023 Fetch and Directions in Veterinary Medicine continuing education schedule: Biggest event lineup to date

Dogs and staff at Seattle dog resort safely escape fire

Pet safety for this Super Bowl Sunday

View More Latest News
Advertisement