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ARTICLE · 04 APRIL 2022

Who Gets The Pet During Separation Or Divorce?

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So, you've just separated from your partner and now face the daunting task of deciding who will get to keep the beloved family pet. In some situations, the matter is resolved without much consideration for family law in Ontario.

CanadaFamily and Matrimonial
Jessica Bonnema
Jessica Bonnema
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So, you've just separated from your partner and now face the daunting task of deciding who will get to keep the beloved family pet. In some situations, the matter is resolved without much consideration for family law in Ontario. Sometimes the party that brought a pet into the relationship can often leave with them as well. Other times the children primarily reside with one parent and the family pet will remain close to the children. Sharing custody of a dog or cat is also a possibility.

You may know that pets are protected in other areas of the law such as in landlord-tenant matters. But "what about family law?" Unfortunately, pet custody is a bit more complicated. Ontario courts cannot make custody and access orders for pets.

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