How do the courts deal with pets?  As pets become more and more parts of families lives what happens in court?  Is it the pets best interest such as children?  The answer is no.  The court generally do not like dealing with who gets “custody” of pets and looks more of it as personal property.  I have two dogs and two cats and have looked studied a little bit about animal law.  Animals have very limited rights and in most cases the courts will deal with the pets as more personal property with limited value.  This does not mean that their can not be conflict.  As a mediator and attorney, I have drawn up agreements with times sharing for pets and even how to divide the ashes of a pet.  Most time working out an agreement is much better than asking the Judge to decide because in general the court is not going to spend much real time on the issue.