Jump to navigation. The article considers the role of companion animals in today's family in the United States. It explores the legal aspect of pets as it relates to their status as property, as well as the issues of separation and estate planning for such animals. Introduction According to a recent survey, seventy-three percent of dog owners and sixty- five percent of cat owners consider their companion animals to be like a child or family member.
How many family photos do you see that include the family's dog or cat? Despite the great affinity that a significant percentage of the population has for animals, U. Given the historical perception of animals as resources for humans, it is not surprising that the law does not reflect the current status of the human-animal bond.
The relationship between humans and their companion animals has developed from one focused on utility to one primarily of companionship. Take for example the publication of a book "by" Millie, President George H. Bush's dog, and the reported conflict between President Clinton's dog, Buddy, and the family cat, Socks. Research shows that physical contact with companion animals has a calming effect and decreases people's blood pressure.
There are doggy day care centers and pet sitting services. Some people refuse to leave their animal companions at home when they go on vacation, turning instead to one of the many web sites dedicated to informing pet owners of hotels and other facilities that are pet- friendly. It is not socially acceptable to eat cats or dogs or to wear a coat made of dog or cat fur. The visible mistreatment of these animals generally receives a high response from a significant portion of the public.
There is no indication that the trend towards greater integration of these animals into families is going to end anytime soon. As such, it is clear that the current legal system has not kept up with the reality of the relationship between these companion animals and their human family members. In this article, I first briefly discuss the domestication of companion animals, including the impact of anthropomorphism and neoteny on how animals are viewed in U.
