Brazilian Senate Approves Shared Pet Custody After Breakups

Overview

• The Senate approved PL 941/2024 on Tuesday, March 31, sending the shared pet custody bill to President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva for sanction.
• Shared custody applies only when the pet is considered common property, meaning it lived most of its life with both partners.
• If ex-partners cannot agree, a judge will decide based on the pet’s living environment, who provided daily care, each person’s finances, and available time.
• Day-to-day costs like food and hygiene are paid by whoever has the pet at the time, while larger expenses such as veterinary care, medicines, and hospitalizations are shared.
• The text blocks joint custody in cases of domestic violence or animal mistreatment, allows loss of possession for renunciation or repeated breach, keeps animals legally as property, and recognizes the emotional bond.