Key Points of The P.A.W.S Doctrine

Current laws in The United States deem pets equitable to property. This puts companion animals at risk for enduring repeated abandonment, abuse, neglect, and cruelty, as they can be returned to homes in which they endured suffering.  In cases of divorce or in estate disputes, custody is solely granted to the original "purchaser," without consideration for the animal's well-being, safety, or bond with other family members.  In malpractice cases, pet parents are only granted settlements equal to the original purchase price of the animal.  The laws do not recognize the valuable bond between pets and their guardians.  

National Standards of Care do not currently exist.  State laws regarding animal abandonment, neglect, abuse, hoarding, and cruelty vary widely, oftentimes with penalties so lenient that they are not true deterrents. By establishing clearly defined National Standards of Care, pets in all 50 States can be assured proper care & safety. Concurrently, implementing stronger penalties for animal abandonment, neglect, abuse, and cruelty reduces the suffering of the animals and repeat offenders.  Increasing funding & providing specialized training for local law enforcement agencies, animal control, & shelters will create departments & entities better-suited to address the needs of these animals & ensure that the laws are effectively upheld.     

The national economic crisis is directly impacting pet guardians & custodians.  Due to inflation and other economic strains, families are unable to properly provide for their pets, which in turn overwhelms animal shelters with high numbers of "owner surrenders".  Without financial & housing stability, families are surrendering, or worse, abandoning their pets.  The high cost of general medical care and spaying & neutering leads to unplanned litters, causing an overpopulation crisis.  These issues lead to the suffering and euthanasia of millions of companion animals each year.  Incentives for citizens who comply with registration/licensing requirements, in the form of tax refunds, can help alleviate the financial crisis many families are currently facing. Low cost spay & neuter programs will simultaneously reduce the financial strain on families & shelters and alleviate the overpopulation crisis.    

As the court system currently works, you could  lose custody of your pet(s) if you cannot provide documented proof of purchase or a signed agreement proving you are the sole "owner."  Imagine this: your partner gifted you a pet, but sometime later you two separate.   During the custody hearing, it is determined that your partner is the sole "purchaser," which takes precedence over your bond with the animal.  The ramifications of our pets' legal status of property continue during estate disputes after death.  Oftentimes surviving relatives will euthanize or surrender the deceased's beloved pet.  Even worse, it is possible for surviving relatives to take pets from the deceased's partner/spouse if it is not specified in the will that the pet should remain with the partner/spouse. Many families have been cruelly torn apart because of antiquated laws treating pet custody equitable to the division of property.  

Not only is the current animal welfare crisis a critical moral & societal dilemma, but the financial ramifications are monumental. Caring for neglected, abused, and abandoned animals is incredibly costly for government agencies, shelters, humane societies, and citizens.  It becomes essential, then, to reduce the amount of animals needing refuge by establishing educational campaigns about responsible pet guardianship, breeding license restrictions, & implementing stricter penalties for animal abandonment, neglect, abuse, and cruelty.  Consequently, costly court cases for animal neglect, abuse, and cruelty, which consume valuable resources and time, will lessen overtime.  Imposing stricter penalties for violations will reduce the occurrence of repeat offenders. Imagine this: taxpayer dollars & donations allocated to these associated costs will be more effectively utilized and animal suffering will reduce overtime.   

American families are struggling to care for their companion animals.  As a result, shelters are facing an unprecedented amount of surrenders & animal control is overwhelmed with stray and abandoned pets.  Establishing affordable spay & neuter programs, low cost pet clinics, pet food & supplies pantries, and tax credits and/or rebates for licensed pets will help alleviate the costs associated with pet guardianship.  Imagine this: having access to resources and supports so that you can continue to properly care for your pet during times of hardship.  Not having to consider surrendering a pet not only alleviates a tremendous mental and emotional burden, but it also reduces the homeless pet population & number of euthanized companion animals each year.