Question
I’m just wondering if there’s any way of me adopting my boyfriends dog and both have rights to look after the dog if we ever broke up.
Answer
It would be up to an animal’s parent whether or not to allow another person to adopt his/her animal or to have a shared interest in the animal. The agreement should be in writing and signed by the parties. Evidence of ownership, such as microchip registration, dog license, and veterinary records should reflect the change. Not all courts, however, will enforce a pet visitation agreement as some courts still consider animals as property.
PLEASE NOTE: Responses to legal inquiries are not meant to replace seeking legal advice from an attorney in your state. The materials in this website and any responses to questions are for informational purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed, as legal advice. This website, the information contained herein, and any responses to questions directed to this column are not intended to create and do not establish an attorney-client relationship. You should not rely or act upon any information provided on this website or in any response to your inquiry without seeking the advice of an attorney in your state regarding the facts of your specific situation.
Send Your Pet Legal Question Now!
Elinor will field as many questions as she can and they will be posted here on this site. Due to the volume of questions received, not all questions are answered. However, many individuals have similar questions. You may find helpful information in the categories listed below.