Skip to main content
news

Who Keeps the Pet in a Divorce? Quebec Bill May Change Rules

Published May 22, 2024 at 4:00am

More than half of Quebec households have pets, which are often seen as family members. However, during separations, Quebec courts prioritize legal ownership over the pets' well-being or attachment to either spouse.

This practice can ignore the animals' best interests and even perpetuate domestic abuse dynamics. Bill 56, under review in the National Assembly, aims to address this by allowing judges to consider the pet’s welfare and emotional needs. This legislative change would align Quebec with other regions that prioritize animal welfare in divorce settlements.

Will Quebec’s parliamentarians take this crucial step?