P.A.W.S. for Change
Redefining companion animals as valued family members through legislation reform & establishing crucial legal protections.
What is The P.A.W.S. Doctrine?
Our Mission
The P.A.W.S. Doctrine, or The Provisions for Animal Welfare Standards Doctrine, is a federal legislative reform proposal that both redefines companion animals, or pets, as valued family members & establishes crucial legal protections for both pets and their guardians & custodians.
As a comprehensive legislative reform bill, The P.A.W.S. Doctrine aims to address all aspects of welfare relating to our pets, including: custody disputes, malpractice, standards of care, guardianship rights, etc.
“The greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated.” – Mahatma Gandhi
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Did You Know...
Pets Are Legally Considered Property In The U.S.
Current laws in The United States deem pets equitable to property. They're essentially no different than a TV or toaster. As a result, our companions are not granted intrinsic value and their well-being and best interests are not considered in cases involving neglect, kidnapping, medical malpractice, or in estate and custody disputes. Without legal "personhood," our pets are regularly failed by the judicial system.
Laws equating pets to property are not only antiquated, but detrimental to our companions, our communities, and society as a whole. Indisputable science proves that companion animals are sentient beings, & societal conventions demonstrate that pet guardians regard their pets as family members. Therefore, their well-being & best interests should be afforded legal recognition and protection. The P.A.W.S. Doctrine will be the first truly comprehensive welfare reform bill to address all aspects of welfare related to our pets.
Join the Movement
In partnership with The PET Movement, together we can
unite our voices to advocate for federal welfare legislation that recognizes companion animals as valued family members, ensuring their best interests and well-being are protected.
“We have to speak up on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves” – Peter Singer, Animal Liberation
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Meet "The Who" Behind The P.A.W.S Doctrine
Sofia Martianou, Founder & Executive Director
Sofia Martianou, Founder & Executive Director
Sofia Martianou, Founder & Executive Director
Utilizing a tragic experience as motivation, Sofia is responsible for creating, organizing, and overseeing all operations related to her mission of creating ethical animal welfare legislation by redefining the legal status of companion animals to represent their true status as family members. The P.A.W.S. Doctrine will be Sofia's second animal welfare legislative reform proposal; she created the petition for Kano's Law in September 2022.
Kano, Inspiration & Motivator
Sofia Martianou, Founder & Executive Director
Sofia Martianou, Founder & Executive Director
Kano was the inspiration behind Sofia's entrance into animal welfare legislation reform. He was the eponym of her proposed bill, Kano's Law, which aimed to reform how courts ruled in custody disputes involving pets. Kano's story, though it didn't end happily, lives on through Sofia's advocacy work. Read more here: https://www.change.org/PetsAreFamilyNOTProperty
