Who keeps the dog in a breakup? 🐶

Have you ever wondered who keeps the pet when a couple breakup?
New figures show almost 7,000 dogs were handed to Dog’s Trust due to break ups in the past two years, a legal expert from The University of Law (ULaw) has explained how to properly manage pet ownership if a relationship breaks down.
Sadly, January can be a common time for family separations and pets are often an integral part of a family unit. Despite being a nation of animal lovers, currently the law in England and Wales reflects that pets are to be dealt with as chattels in family breakups, i.e. an item of property.
Figures from Dog’s Trust sourced by ULaw show 6,697 dogs have been handed over to them since 2024 citing “a change in owner’s relationship” – that’s an average of 290 dogs every month. So, what is the law regarding who will get the pet in a relationship breakdown?
Amanda Crutchley, Head of Pro Bono at ULaw, explains: “When a relationship breaks down the hope is always for an amicable outcome with agreements to help all parties move forwards, but, sadly, this often isn’t the case. Of course, there are laws that focus on the welfare of children in any new arrangements, but while we may see our pets as family, the same laws don’t apply. This can make pet ownership an emotive topic for discussion as relationships end and resolutions are sought”.
Interested in this topic? Read more about the custody of pets here:
Who keeps the dog in a breakup? | University of Law

Have you ever wondered who keeps the pet when a couple breakup?
New figures show almost 7,000 dogs were handed to Dog’s Trust due to break ups in the past two years, a legal expert from The University of Law (ULaw) has explained how to properly manage pet ownership if a relationship breaks down.
Sadly, January can be a common time for family separations and pets are often an integral part of a family unit. Despite being a nation of animal lovers, currently the law in England and Wales reflects that pets are to be dealt with as chattels in family breakups, i.e. an item of property.
Figures from Dog’s Trust sourced by ULaw show 6,697 dogs have been handed over to them since 2024 citing “a change in owner’s relationship” – that’s an average of 290 dogs every month. So, what is the law regarding who will get the pet in a relationship breakdown?
Amanda Crutchley, Head of Pro Bono at ULaw, explains: “When a relationship breaks down the hope is always for an amicable outcome with agreements to help all parties move forwards, but, sadly, this often isn’t the case. Of course, there are laws that focus on the welfare of children in any new arrangements, but while we may see our pets as family, the same laws don’t apply. This can make pet ownership an emotive topic for discussion as relationships end and resolutions are sought”.
Interested in this topic? Read more about the custody of pets here:
Who keeps the dog in a breakup? | University of Law