Search Results for: blog custody battles over pets

Introducing Pets to Newborns, Pt. 2

Last week I started a series on how to introduce your newborn children to the household pets. I stressed that the most important thing you can do to make the transition as smooth as possible for all family members, human and animal alike, is to make sure pets still receive some exclusive attention. Today I’ll look at some other things you can do before the baby arrives to help prepare your pet. Both expectant and new parents have several options to prepare and properly train pets to be around babies. The nine months of pregnancy afford you invaluable time to … Continue reading →

Custody Battles Over Pets

I’ve heard of nasty child custody battles, but I’d never thought of the same for pets. However, after reading about the concept in a recent Huffington Post article I don’t find it that surprising. After all, pets are like children to many people and even those that aren’t are still beloved by their owners. It’s no surprise that either divorcing party wouldn’t want to part with their pet. Pet custody has recently become a more contentious issue. Cases have risen 23% and Harvard Law now offers a course in the field. While I imagine that pet custody struggles are not … Continue reading →

Deceased Dog Granted Legal Status Beyond Property

Legally pets are considered property. It’s relevant related to insurance claims or custody and other legal proceedings. It seems harsh to many, including myself, because in both instances it can lead to decisions that don’t seem to take into account that most people love their animals like family members. Now a Texas court has changed the game. The Second Court of Appeals in Fort Worth made a ruling in a case that gave dogs increased status above property. Dogster.com has the full story. One day the worst happened for an unnamed couple in the Fort Worth area. Their dog, Avery, … Continue reading →

My First Pet

As long as I can remember I’ve wanted a dog. In preschool when I was around three-years-old we had the assignment to write out our Christmas present wish list. A dog was at the very top of mine. At first my wish for a dog might have just been the childish desire for one that many kids get, but my love of animals has never gone away. Unfortunately, my parents were never very interested in the work most pets, cats and especially dogs, entailed, especially as they knew that a child of my age wouldn’t end up taking any real … Continue reading →

Updated Pet Store Ban Initiated in San Francisco

A year ago this month I wrote about how some cities across the country were thinking of initiating a ban on dog and cat sales at pet stores. The purpose of the move was to strike a blow to puppy and kitten mills, which sometimes supply to pet stores. Animal rights advocates also hoped to encourage prospective pet owners to consider adopting a homeless pet from a shelter. According to the LA Times, in San Francisco at least the ban never took place, though it was never completely withdrawn. Proponents of the ban tried to expand it to include fish … Continue reading →

Animal Abuse Registry

Back when I was a teenager and hadn’t yet learned to stop watching pet cops shows for the sake of my stress levels, I remember learning an interesting, if obvious, fact. People who abuse (and this is direct physical abuse, not criminal neglect) their animals are much more likely to become violent against others, especially their family members. Now a county in New York State is taking that information to its next logical conclusion: Suffolk County, NY is launching a pet abuser registry. According to MSNBC, the purpose of the registry is to create a list of potential family abusers; … Continue reading →

When Cats Drool

Last week when taking my shift at Petco to look after the shelter cats housed there, I met the strangest feline. He was a real sweetheart; he adored being petted and wanted to climb onto my shoulders. But he drooled. As I held him a puddle grew on my shoulder. I would have been concerned for this cat’s health except that the shelter’s feline coordinator left a note saying that he was fine, drooling was just something he did. Still, I found the experience so odd I decided to research drooling cats. Cats actually drool for a number of reasons, … Continue reading →