The furry third rail of “friendly” divorce
You split the furniture, you mapped the parenting schedule, you even agreed on the refinance. Then four words blow it up: “But he’s my dog.”
Pets carry real emotion. In Georgia, they’re treated as property in divorce, but judges recognize that pets are family. The solution isn’t a tug-of-war. It’s a clear pet plan that honors the animal’s routine, protects wallets, and keeps your uncontested case… uncontested.
Decide the big question first: ownership vs. shared care
There are two smart paths. Pick one and write it clearly.
1) Sole ownership with courtesy time
One spouse becomes the legal owner, handles all vet decisions and licensing, and the other gets reasonable visit time or occasional pet-sits by agreement. This is best when the pet is strongly bonded to one home, there’s travel or housing limits, or you want clean finances.
2) Shared care with a set schedule
If you truly want to rotate care, treat the pet like a tiny co-parenting plan: primary residence, exchange days, who transports, and what happens for holidays or travel. Keep the schedule realistic or it will collapse in month two.
Pet plan building blocks
Use these elements to keep the tone kind and the paperwork enforceable.
Primary residence
Name where the pet lives most of the time. Stability helps with anxiety, training, and vet continuity. If care is shared, say which home is “primary” for emergencies and licensing.
Exchanges and travel
List the regular exchange day/time and location, plus a short grace period. If someone travels, note who pet-sits and where. Decide about air travel or long car trips ahead of time.
Health care and emergencies
Pick a primary veterinarian and a backup. One spouse should have final authority for emergency treatment to avoid delay. Decide how you’ll notify the other about serious issues and who can access records.
Expenses and proof
Name who pays what: food, routine vet, prescriptions, grooming, flea/heartworm, boarding, pet insurance if used. If sharing costs, set a monthly cap for routine items and a process for larger bills. Keep receipts and send proof within a set number of days so reimbursements don’t turn into arguments.
Identification and documents
Spell out who holds the microchip registration, county license, and pet insurance policy. If the pet changes homes, the chip and license information should be updated within a short window.
Training and behavior
If training or behavior work is ongoing, decide who schedules sessions, how costs are covered, and whether both homes must follow the same commands and crate/feeding rules. Consistency keeps the pet calm.
Boundaries with new partners
Decide now if overnight care with a new partner is allowed, any safety rules (fences, crates, off-leash policies), and how you’ll handle introductions. This avoids awkward texts later.
End-of-life decisions
It’s tender, but important. Name who has final say in end-of-life care, with a promise to consult, share vet opinions, and allow both to be present if possible.
Money talk without the sting
Pet costs aren’t just food and a squeaky toy. They’re vaccinations, dental cleanings, meds, grooming, and surprise emergencies. To keep “friendly” from becoming “financial,” make the money rules boringly clear:
- Routine items (food, preventatives, grooming): either one owner pays all, or split at a set ratio, with simple monthly proof.
- Big-ticket care (surgery, advanced meds): require mutual consent unless an emergency; if you disagree, the final decision-maker pays or you follow the vet’s medical necessity guidance.
- Boarding/travel: decide who pays when the pet must board for the other’s travel or parenting schedule, and set a maximum nightly rate.
When shared care makes sense—and when it doesn’t
Good candidates: nearby homes, predictable schedules, low conflict, compatible routines, and a pet that handles change well.
Bad candidates: reactive or anxious animals, long commutes, frequent overnights for work, uneven budgets, or rising conflict. It’s kinder to the pet (and your peace) to choose one stable home and give the other spouse generous time together in low-stress ways: park days, hikes, weekend sits.
Sample scenarios (to reality-check your plan)
The apartment switcher: One spouse moved to a no-pet lease. Solution: sole ownership to the homeowner, with weekly hikes and pet-sitting during trips.
The road warrior: One travels twice a month. Solution: shared care on off-weeks, automatic boarding coverage when travel collides with their week, with proof of cost.
The nervous rescue: Dog panics with change. Solution: single-home plan, visiting time in that home or at a favorite park with familiar routine.
Georgia practicalities that keep you on track
Your pet terms belong inside a clear, enforceable uncontested agreement, especially if other issues—home refinance, child support, vehicle titles—are being finalized too. Local practice in Richmond, Columbia, and Burke counties can affect how your packet is assembled and approved. Clean, county-compliant documents help many uncontested matters be presented for approval about 30 days after signatures when the court is satisfied.
Red flags that set off future fights
- “We’ll just share the dog whenever.”
- “We’ll split vet bills fairly.”
- “Either of us can approve any treatment.”
- “We’ll keep the chip how it is for now.”
Each sounds friendly. Each creates stress. Replace them with specific times, places, dollar caps, and one final decision-maker for emergencies.
Professional bottom line
You don’t need a courtroom brawl to honor a pet you both love. You need a calm, detailed pet plan that sets expectations, protects the animal’s routine, and avoids money traps. Clarity is kindness—to the dog and to both of you.
Closing message
Want a pet plan that keeps your uncontested divorce friendly and enforceable? Catherine Verdery Ryan, Attorney at Law, drafts county-ready agreements that cover ownership, care, costs, and emergencies—without drama.
Visit catherineryanlawyer.com to finish with peace for everyone, paws included.