Pets May be Family in your Household, but Pennsylvania Law Says Otherwise

You have a pet — your beloved dog. You think of your dog as a member of the family. You are getting divorced. Who gets the dog? Or who gets any pet for that matter?  Your dog, legally speaking, is chattel — a possession like home furnishings, jewelry or a car.

The question is, how can your dog, this loving family member, be treated fairly and end up living with the best party?  Some advance planning might help. If you acquire a dog while you are single, get a receipt of purchase or letter from a gifting party and keep it in a secure place. If you purchase a dog during the marriage, using your own separate money, get a receipt stating the dog was sold solely to you.

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