Animal Welfare Professionals

For many of us, pets are cherished family members. They provide companionship, emotional support, and, in the case of service dogs, essential daily assistance. Yet, in most states, pets are still legally classified as "property," much like a car or a piece of furniture. This outdated view doesn't reflect the deep bond we share with our pets or the critical roles they play in our lives.

By recognizing pets as family members-or at least as sentient beings with intrinsic value-we could:

1. Acknowledge Emotional Bonds: Pets aren't just property; they are sentient beings who provide love, loyalty, and support. Legal recognition of this would reflect the emotional significance they hold for many families.

2. Ensure Better Protections: Changing the legal status of pets would ensure greater protection, especially in cases of negligence or harm. Owners could seek justice for their pets as valued members of the household, not just replaceable items.

3. Modernize Legal Standards: Society has shifted in how we view pets-treating them as part of the family. The law should follow suit by offering more appropriate protections that recognize pets as sentient beings or family members, not mere property.

What are your thoughts on this shift? How do you think it would affect pets and their owners, particularly those who rely on service animals? Share your ideas!

Thank you Miroslava. Our laws and policies have not caught up with todays society. 40% of households in the US have human children in the home, while 70% of households have pets. Pets are family! 

I was placed with my first service dog a little over a year ago and he is a game changer for me. I could/would not leave the house without him.  I am grateful he is protected by the ADA.

We talk about topics like this in our One Health Forum (Join One Health Community). We welcome you to join in our conversations there. We believe todays society is a bonded family society where family is defined as human and non human family members. 

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T' Fisher, Director of Operations
Program for Pet Health Equity
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Thank you for sharing this! It's so true-our laws have yet to reflect the reality of how deeply pets are integrated into our families and society. I'm so glad to hear about your service dog and the positive impact he's had on your life. Service dogs truly are life-changing, and it's great that they're protected under the ADA.

Losing Daisy, my beloved service dog, due to a pharmacy mistake after her life-saving surgery was devastating, and I continue to struggle to get justice because pets are still considered property under the law. This has driven my mission to ensure pets are legally recognized as family members.

The One Health Forum sounds like an incredible space for these kinds of discussions. The idea of a bonded family society, where pets are recognized as family members, aligns so well with what we're working toward with Daisy's Legacy. I'd love to join your conversations and continue advocating for pets to be seen as more than just property in the eyes of the law. Thank you again for the invitation and your support!