Pennsylvania House passes pet-custody bill, seeks to treat pets as family in divorce

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives on Tuesday passed House Bill 97, a measure to recognize pets as living beings generally regarded as cherished family members and to elevate their status in divorce proceedings. If enacted, the bill would establish a formal definition of a companion animal and require courts to consider pet-related matters alongside traditional property in property settlements.

HB 97 would set rules for shared schedules, custody arrangements and the division of costs associated with a pet. It would require judges to weigh factors such as daily care, who takes the animal to the veterinarian, and which party has greater financial ability to care for the pet, rather than treating animals as ordinary personal property.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Anita Astorino Kulik, a Democrat who represents Pennsylvania's 45th District. Kulik has argued that pets are an integral part of the family and a source of companionship and support.

In a September Facebook post, Kulik wrote that, during years of practicing family law, custody of pets was a major point of contention for divorcing couples and that pets are not merely “pets” but important members of the family.

Kulik said the House vote was overwhelmingly in favor of the measure and thanked colleagues and advocacy groups for their support. The bill now moves to the Pennsylvania Senate for consideration.

If enacted, the proposal would mark a notable shift in how Pennsylvania treats companion animals in civil disputes, aligning pet custody considerations with some practices already used in child custody cases. Supporters say it reflects how many households view their pets, while lawmakers emphasized the need to provide clearer, fair processes for households navigating divorce.