A valuable contribution to legal jurisprudence, this book examines in detail the progression of law that affects animal law in general, and the various aspects that particularly impacts pets and companion animals. Unique, inspiring, and interesting, author Barbara Gislason clarifies how scientific knowledge about the cognitive abilities and emotional characteristics of other animals should lead to legal developments.


Pet Law and Custody provides synthesizes legal and ethical information on how the law affects pets with pertinent case law analysis. This is a very useful and well-crafted work for lawyers. The book takes an in-depth look at the subject of pet custody disputes from many angles. Not only explaining legal topics, such as what judges do in a practical way and how they might approach a case, the book also considers how cultural perspectives, cognitive biases, and points of view impact negotiations, alternative dispute resolutions, and decision-making processes. Topics include:





Family law and replevin actions

Alternative dispute resolution

Estate planning for animals

Contract law and the Uniform Commercial Code

Property law

Tort law affecting pet law

Animal cruelty

Dangerous dogs

Science and bioethics

Practical advice for the animal lawyer, including law office basics, handling a legal case, and identifying experts


Appendices include sample pleadings, agreements, rescue adoption contract, pet custody questionnaire, and more.


"This splendid book thoroughly and exhaustively for the first time explores all aspects of law pertaining to companion animals. Such a book has long been needed, and no one could have done it better than Barbara Gislason. This book is an instant classic, and will remain so for the foreseeable future."
–  Prof. Bernard E. Rollin, Author of Animal Rights and Human Morality and Veterinary Medical Ethics


"Essential reading for lawyers and anybody who is interested in animal legal issues. Barbara Gislason’s work is pioneering and will help you think deeply about the relationship between people and animals."
–  Dr. Temple Grandin, Author of Animals in Translation: Using the Mysteries of Autism to Decode Animal Behavior