When Love Ends, What Happens to the Pet?

It’s something no one wants to think about when they bring a pet into their home, but it’s a question that matters more than ever:
What happens to your pet if you and your partner separate?

Our pets are part of our families — they share our homes, our routines, and often, our hearts. But when relationships change, things can quickly become complicated.

🐕 When Relationships Break Down, Pets Can Get Caught in the Middle

For many couples, pets feel like children. They’re loved equally and cared for together.
But unlike children, the law still views pets as property — meaning ownership, not welfare, determines who keeps them.

That legal reality can make separation emotionally painful and practically messy.
We’ve seen this play out in real life — even the courts are starting to recognise the need for change. In a landmark 2024 case (FI v DO [2024]), a judge considered a dog’s welfare and stable home environment, not just legal ownership, when deciding where it should live

This shift shows how deeply we value our animals — but it also highlights how important it is to plan ahead.

💚 How PetPact Prevents Conflict Before It Starts

That’s where PetPact, created by Roche Legal, makes a real difference.

PetPact lets you record what should happen to your pet if your relationship changes, before emotions and uncertainty take over. It’s not about expecting the worst — it’s about ensuring your pet’s life stays stable and secure, no matter what.

With PetPact, you can:
✅ Decide who your pet lives with if you separate.
✅ Outline shared arrangements, such as visits or contribution to costs.
✅ Nominate a backup guardian in case both owners are unable to care for them.
✅ Provide detailed notes on your pet’s welfare, health, and daily routine so that whoever takes over knows exactly what to do.

Everything is agreed and recorded in advance — fairly, calmly, and with your pet’s best interests at heart.

🐕🦺 Putting Your Pet First

Breakups are hard enough without adding uncertainty about your pet’s future.
PetPact keeps your pet’s welfare at the centre of every decision. It makes sure the person who can best meet their needs — not just the legal owner — is the one who cares for them.

It also helps avoid disputes later. When your wishes are clearly recorded, everyone involved understands what should happen and why — protecting relationships, as well as your pet.

⚖️ A Step Towards a Fairer Future for Pets

At Roche Legal, we believe pets deserve to be recognised as more than property — they’re family. That’s why we’re not only helping owners protect their pets through PetPact, but also championing change with government and policymakers to modernise how the law treats animals in cases of separation, illness, or death

PetPact is the practical, affordable step you can take today to ensure your pet’s wellbeing is protected, no matter what tomorrow brings.

🐾 Ready to Plan Ahead — Together or Apart? 

Whether you share your home, your walks, or just your heart with your pet, having a PetPact in place means their future is secure, whatever life brings.