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A nationwide charity has urged {couples} who’re going via a divorce or separation to ‘paws for thought’ earlier than entering into battle over the household pet. The name to motion comes on National Pet Day (April eleventh) which inspires households throughout the nation rejoice the enjoyment that pets deliver into their lives.
While the occasion goals to concentrate on the positives of getting a pet, in line with NFM (National Family Mediation) many {couples} wrestle to agree what is going to occur to the household canine, cat, rabbit or snake as soon as they select to go their separate methods.
The charity says that the subject options in additional than 40 per cent of mediation issues that they take care of.
While the law sees pets as little more than a ‘chattel’ – which means an owned merchandise similar to a automobile or piece of jewelry – many homeowners see them as an extension of the household, which means they’re understandably reluctant to chop ties as soon as a relationship breaks down.
Sarah Hawkins, CEO of NFM, feedback: “Pets are very much considered a part of the family, and so it’s understandable that they are also a real bone of contention for couples in conflict.
“At NFM we deal with dozens of pet disputes monthly, as more families have included a pet in their household in recent years. In fact, over the last year pets have featured in 43 per cent of mediation matters.
“However, the harsh reality is that the law views pets as assets, or possessions, which means that it will allocate an ‘owner’. That means that couples who take their fight over who gets the dog, cat, rabbit or snake to the courts following a breakup may find themselves heartbroken by the outcome.”
Sarah provides: “So many people now own pets, so it’s not surprising that we are seeing an increase in couples who are conflicted over what to do with them once they go their separate ways.
“Court may not provide the answers that many people expect, and we would urge couples to consider alternative dispute resolution methods wherever possible.
“Mediation, for example, approaches the issue in a very similar way to other parenting plans. Rotas are discussed, to include availability and location, and finances also feature.
“The mediator will then help clients to come up with a fair plan that works for all and the main objective for us, ultimately, is to help couples to paws for thought before getting heated, and to try to resolve their issues amicably, outside of the court system, which can be incredibly costly and stressful.
“At NFM we have a success rate of 86 per cent, so it’s clear that the non-legal route can really help to reduce the number of clients entering – or even re-entering – the court arena.”
National Family Mediation (NFM) is a charity which helps households and {couples} amicably type out quite a lot of disputes, together with kids, property, finance and different vital issues.
