Divorce changes everything—from your finances to where you live. While it’s understandable when children have a difficult time adjusting to the new family dynamic, what about your loyal family pet? Pets are cherished family members too, so when a couple decides to part ways, pet custody can be just as tricky as any other aspect of separation. According to the ASPCA, divorce is one of the most common reasons dogs are rehomed. In honor of National Animal Advocacy Day on April 30, and as a lover of animals myself, I share some strategies for separating pet parents, such as how to amicably divide time with your dog, cat, or feathered friend—and keep their best interests at the forefront.

Florida considers pets community property, similar to furniture, jewelry, and real estate, and thus subject to a 50-50 split. Despite multiple laws aimed at ensuring a fair and equitable division of assets during a divorce and determining custody arrangements in the best interest of a child, there are no similar legal guidelines in Florida specifically outlining the best interest of your fur baby, even though most of us regard pets as integral members of the family. So, when couples cannot reach a mutual agreement on a pet custody arrangement, a court might need to step in. The court may assess who has spent the most time caring for the pet before, or whether one partner lacks the financial means to meet the pet’s needs.