6th December 2024|In Latest News

An Ultimate Guide to Pet Custody Shared Care Agreements 

Pet Custody Shared Care Agreements 

You’ve separated from your partner, and you want to share your pet – how does this work? 

A shared care agreement is a great way to formalise arrangements for sharing your beloved pet. With help of a shared care agreement, you can avoid disputes and prioritise the welfare of your pet. 

This ultimate guide will explain: 

  • What is a shared care agreement
  • Who does it apply to 
  • What can the agreement include 
  • Benefits of a shared care agreement 
  • Frequently asked questions 

What is a shared care agreement for a pet? 

A shared care agreement is a document, signed by all owners involved in the pet’s care, that sets out the arrangements for sharing custody of a pet. 

Here at Blanchards Law, we work with you to draft a shared care agreement that gives you peace of mind, knowing that the arrangements for your pet are clear and understood. 

Going through a breakup is difficult, and fighting over your pet can be heartbreaking. A shared care agreement is a way to bring disagreements to a mutually satisfactory conclusion; i.e. a settlement which you can both accept. A written record of exactly how you will share your pet, to which you both agree, allows you to move on and enjoy the time you have with your pet. 

Whilst a shared care agreement is not a legally binding document, it is a way of setting out exactly how care of your pet is going to be organised between you.This means no constant back and forth with your ex-partner about whose turn it is to have the dog. You can have a record of what has been agreed between you, to refer to at any point should a question or dispute arise. 

We can help you draft an agreement that is fair and takes into consideration any issues that may arise with ownership of your pet in the future. 

Who does it apply to? 

A shared care agreement can be used by anyone who is willing to agree shared care arrangements with their ex-partner, so that both owners are able to spend time with their pet following a breakup. 

A shared care agreement is suitable for any pet of any age, or multiple pets. It is not just for those who have been in a romantic relationship. Some share pets with their parents, siblings or friends and a written agreement will help you understand how the arrangement will work in the long term. 

What can the agreement include? 

A list of things that be covered within your agreement include, but are not limited to: 

  • Who the pet will be with, on what days.
  • Who will pay for the day-to-day expenses in relation to your pet. 
  • Who is to be involved in or responsible for health care for your pet. 
  • Arrangements for doggy day care or boarding facilities 
  • Who will pay the vet bills or insurance? 
  • Who is responsible for dog grooming? 
  • The procedure agreed for changing the arrangements e.g. for a holiday 
  • What you would like to happen if one owner becomes unable to care for your pet

Benefits of a pet custody shared care agreement                                      

They can help prevent future disagreements regarding care of your pet and make custody after separation clear. You have a document to which you can both refer whenever there is confusion or disagreement about the arrangements for your pet. 

Whilst a shared care agreement is not legally binding, if the arrangements break down and a dispute takes place about custody of the dog, the shared care agreement can be submitted as evidence to a small claims court to demonstrate there was a mutual written understanding that the pet is jointly owned.           

You can use the agreement to set out how communication about your pet should take place. When a couple has separated, it may be best to avoid direct communication. You can provide within your pet custody agreement that communications should take place through a third party or using a parenting app; such as a human parenting app called ‘Our Family Wizard’ (OurFamilyWizard | The Best Coparenting App). This can provide peace of mind during difficult break ups. You and your ex-partner can share your dog, without having to directly talk to one another. 

Having a shared care agreement ultimately makes it much more likely that you will be able to successfully and amicably share the care of your pet, and therefore much more likely that you can both be actively involved in your pet’s life on a regular basis. Without this, costly and expensive litigation may be necessary to determine who gets to keep the pet, and one party may be left without any chance of seeing their pet again. Whilst shared care can only work if both owners are willing to compromise, having a written agreement in place makes it far less likely that the shared care arrangements will break down due to a disagreement. 

FAQs: 

Are there situations where a shared care agreement may not be suitable?

Geographical distance between the owners can be a hindrance to effective shared care, and can make it impossible for such arrangements to work. If someone is insisting on something that is impractical, you can mediate your dispute with an independent third party, or ultimately, an application to court could be made.

If there is a history of domestic abuse, a shared care agreement may not be suitable as any contact with the other person could be a risk for the victim and sharing care may take an emotional toll. 

Are shared care agreements suitable for any type of pet? 

Yes! Shared care agreements can work for any type of pet. 

Should we attend mediation? 

Mediation is a great way to discuss shared care of your pet and come to an agreement about sharing care and how the arrangement will work. A mediator can help facilitate these discussions, so that when it comes to drafting your shared care agreement, you and your ex-partner can be content that you have both considered what is best for you and your pet. 

How much do they cost? 

The amount of correspondence between you and the other party involved in the shared care agreement and the complexity of the agreement will affect the cost. Much of the work on your shared care agreement can be done by our pet custody paralegals at an hourly rate of £215.00 + VAT, supervised by our in-house barrister at an hourly rate of £290 + VAT.

                                                                                 

 

Can we help you? Please call us on 0333 344 6302 or contact us through our enquiry form. All initial enquiries are free and without obligation.

"*" indicates required fields

This field is hidden when viewing the form