When I first started practicing animal law years ago, one of my first case involved helping a separating couple create a custody arrangement for their dog.
That early experience reinforced what I already knew in my heart: our companion animals are not pieces of furniture. They are sentient beings, filled with emotional depth, dignity, and unconditional love. They are family members.
Yet, in the law, a pet has been treated as mere personal property, no different than a toaster or a couch. If an unmarried couple or roommates split up, the court looked at a financial receipts to see who paid for the animal, ignoring the emotional bond or who actually provided the daily care.
Thankfully, the legal landscape is beginning to shift, and a sweet, senior Puggle named Rosie is the reason why.
Rosie’s Story: The Heartbreak Behind the Law Rosie lived for over half her life with her primary caregiver, Tameer Siddiqui. He managed her daily routine, fed her, administered her medications, and took her to the vet. But in early 2025, when a long-term engagement ended, Rosie was taken away.
Because Tameer and his partner were not legally married, standard property laws applied. Tameer went to court and pleaded for Rosie’s return, or at the least, a temporary visitation schedule. The judge considered outdated legislation and did not look at caregiving history, reviewing videos of their bond, or weighing what was in the best interests for Rosie. Sadlly, Tameer lost custody, and he was cut off from the senior dog.
Action & Advocacy at Work
Tameer refused to give up. He launched the Rosie’s Law Initiative. He drafted legal frameworks and testified before lawmakers to close this legal loophole. As a result, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act into law, known as Rosie’s Law.
Taking effect on January 1, 2027, this legislation extends pet custody protections far beyond traditional divorce court, allowing judges to intervene in disputes involving unmarried couples, roommates, and even domestic partners. Most importantly, the courts can look past the cash receipt and decide custody based on the “well-being” of the animal.
Judges will finally look at the caregiving history and the law added protections for senior pets aged 10 or older, mandating that courts prioritize maintaining their established routines.
Victory for Sentient Beings
As a retired animal rights lawyer, my heart 💜 is filled with joy to see this progress. It is a monumental step toward a legal system that recognizes animals as the living breathing beings with feelings and family members. Rosie’s case is on appeal, and although she is separated from the caregiver who knows her best during her senior years.
Rosie’s legacy lives on. Animals are here with us, not for us, and they deserve a voice. If you want to stay updated on how we can build a more compassionate world for our companion animals, subscribe to my Substack newsletter on Suzanagartner.com [1].
You can also discover more stories of compassion in my book, _A Voice for Animals: The Social Movement That Provides Dignity and Compassion for Animals_, available now.