PDSA Vet Nurse Shauna Walsh advises couples on what to do should the worst happen.
Who gets the dog?
“Sadly, it’s a fact of life that sometimes relationships break down. This gets more complicated when you share a home, belongings, or pets. Many people view pets as their family members and cannot imagine life without them.
“Whilst most of us are aware of pre-nuptial agreements to protect our personal possessions and finances, there is such a thing as a ‘pet pre-nup’ or a ‘pet-nup’, which is the pet equivalent. The purpose of a pet-nup is to ensure your pet’s future is secure, with the right of ownership clearly set out should your relationship end.”
What is a pet-nup?
“A pet-nup is a plan pre-agreed by both parties for what will happen with their shared pet, should the worst happen. These typically include who will take care of them, where they will live, and who shall be responsible for ongoing care – whether this be a shared agreement, or one party designated to become the sole carer.
“They are designed to make the end of a relationship a smoother process for both humans and any pets involved, hopefully keeping the pet's best interests at the forefront of any decisions. However, you should be aware that pre-nups aren’t legally binding.”
Advice for pet owners
“For anyone with a pet or those thinking of adding a pet to their family, it’s always important to remember that your pet could be around for many years. Dogs can be in our lives for over a decade, so it’s worth including your pets in your plans and ensuring their welfare needs will be met no matter what happens.
“When deciding how to best care for your pet post-breakup, factoring in their individual needs and preferences is key to keeping them happy and healthy. If you want to make formal arrangements for your pet, should your relationship ever end, we’d recommend seeking legal advice before making any firm decisions.
“Whatever option you decide on, it is important to be aware of any behaviour changes your pet might show that could indicate stress, particularly if you decide on a shared ownership agreement, where your pet resides in two different locations with different people. What may be fine for a short period could cause your pet to feel unsettled or stressed over time, so if you notice any behavioural changes, it is important to get your pet seen by a vet and perhaps reevaluate your living arrangements if your pet is stressed.
“We all want the best for our pets, and lots of pets thrive with routine, so it’s important to factor this in when deciding how to navigate caring for your pet post-breakup.”
For more helpful advice about caring for your pet, visit our Pet Health Hub.
*PDSA Animal Wellbeing (PAW) Report 2023: 36% of all owners acquired their pet in the last three years, meaning that 8.3 million pets (4.1 million dogs, 3.7 million cats and 580,000 rabbits) have been acquired since 2020.