Posted on 12/20/2025 2:48:13 PM PST by DFG
A Pennsylvania bill would recognize pets as family members, elevating their status in situations such as divorce.
The Pennsylvania House of Representatives recently passed House Bill 97, which would elevate the legal status of pets as “living beings that are generally regarded as cherished family members that offer their owners companionship, security and assistance,” if signed into law.
The bill would create an official definition of a companion animal, elevating its status in divorce proceedings.
“Companion animals occupy a special category of personal property which does not include inanimate personal property. Therefore, it is the policy of the Commonwealth that special consideration be extended to companion animals when the division of personal property is planned or determined,” the legislation continues.
The bill outlines new rules for shared schedules, custody arrangements and the division of costs associated with the pet.
It also directs judges to consider factors similar to child custody cases, such as who provides daily care for the pet, who takes the pet to the vet and who has greater financial ability to care for the pet.
The legislation was sponsored by state Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik, D-Pa., who represents Pennsylvania’s 45th District.
In a September Facebook post, Kulik wrote, “For many years, I practiced Family Law. During that time, I realized that one of the main points of contention for divorcing couples was custody of their pets. For many of us, our furry friends are not merely ‘pets’ — they are an important part of our family.”
Kulik added, “I am pleased that my bill, House Bill 97, was overwhelmingly approved by the House of Representatives, and I thank those of my colleagues that voted in favor of this legislation! I also want to thank the advocacy groups that supported this measure, for their efforts.”
(Excerpt) Read more at nypost.com ...
I agree.
If a horrible disaster wiped away every law passed in the last 50 years, could mankind survive?
Ridiculous.
Animals are not legally equivalent to human children in any way, and should NOT be.
We did before.
There would be some unexpected consequences through.
For example currently 46 states allow open carry.
In 1975 it was one state.
Not all the things that have happened are bad.
I support this.
In other news Vivek Ramaswamy declared dogs, cats and cattle to be American citizens.
Lol.
Just says they are companion animals.
Have known a few cases where one member of a former couple hated the other one so much that they had their pet killed.
One sold the cat to medical research.
Pets are not children but they are also not tables.
You don’t have pets?
My pets are members of the family and most pet owners would agree..
Don’t think for a f’n millisecond that a women won’t use an innocent child to “get back” at another human being.
Idiotic...but no surprise.
Legislators raised on Disney cartoons without God in the home.
Makes sense to me. People invest a lot of emotion into pets.
He'll draw up a pre-pup agreement.
such as who provides daily care for the pet, who takes the pet to the vet and who has greater financial ability to care for the pet.
Maybe we should just let the animal decide...
That has happened.
Pet in the middle of a room, both are allowed to call the pet, who ever the pet goes to first gets primary custody.
Works fairly well with dogs.
Not so great with cats or birds.
Total flop with fish.
i always thought they were....
At all.
“Sir - isn’t it true that you only let your family member outside while on a restrictive harness and leash?”
“Well yes, but...”
“And isn’t also true true that you put your family member in a crate not much bigger than himself for long periods of time, and only allowed him to go to the bathroom outside?”
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