Skyler’s Plea: We have to stop calling them “property.” Skyler is not a couch, not a truck, not a sentimental heirloom you can reclaim after half a decade because you found the old receipt. 

Skyler was my father's last steadfast anchor as Alzheimer's slowly eroded his mind, stealing memories one by one. In his final days, when the cancer pain struck so fiercely that words failed him, she would lie faithfully at his feet, absorbing his tremors into her calm, unwavering presence. Even as he forgot the names of his own children, Skyler's name and gentle spirit remained etched in his heart—a beacon of comfort amid the fog.

Skyler, now 7 years old, has been an integral part of our family for the past five years. She's more than a pet; she's our rock, our loyal companion, weaving herself into the fabric of our lives with her boundless love and quiet strength. After my father's passing, Skyler formed an unbreakable bond with our 11-year-old grandson, whom we've raised since he was five. Tragically, our grandson's father briefly assumed guardianship, only to pass away a month later from a severe allergic reaction. When our grandson returned to our home,heartbroken and adrift, it was Skyler who welcomed him back with open paws. Over the last two years, she's become his devoted emotional support dog, offering solace during his grief and helping him navigate the storms of loss.Through it all, Skyler has been the cornerstone of our family's mental health—providing unconditional support that heals us as much as we care for her. She's not just part of our story; she's the heart of it.

Pets hold a unique and irreplaceable position in our lives and families, serving as companions, emotional support, and more. Yet, under current laws, they are still mostly considered property. This cold categorization fails to acknowledge the deep emotional ties and the invaluable roles pets like Sky play in our families. The 2019 law here in New Hampshire was a step forward, recognizing the vital role of pets, but it’s not enough. Adjustments are necessary to elevate their status from property to family and to ensure they receive the rights and protections they deserve.

In homes across our nation, pets are more than mere possessions; they are beloved family members, offering immeasurable emotional support and unconditional love. The comfort and companionship they provide in times of illness, loneliness, or distress cannot be undervalued. Studies have shown that having a pet in the family significantly improves both mental and physical health, illustrating the need for legislative frameworks that reflect this reality (American Pet Products Association’s 2021-2022 National Pet Owners Survey).

By redefining the legal status of pets, we advocate for stronger protections against harm, neglect, and unfair custody battles during divorces. Moreover, we aim to set a precedent that empowers judicial systems to consider the best interests of the pet, paralleling considerations often made in child custody cases. Such forward-thinking measures will better align our laws with the lived experiences of New Hampshire where I live and our nations families, ensuring the wellbeing of all family members.

Our neighboring states have taken progressive steps, signaling a growing acknowledgment across the nation of the significance pets hold within the familial structure. It is time New Hampshire and our nation joins this movement, honoring the invaluable bond between humans and their pets.

I am suggesting Balanced Reforms for Recognizing Dogs as Sentient Beings Shifting the legal and cultural view of dogs from mere property (chattel) to sentient beings—while maintaining practical aspects of ownership—could benefit dog owners through reforms that enhance welfare, clarify responsibilities, and provide support without overly disrupting daily life. These "balanced" approaches aim to address potential downsides like legal ambiguities or economic burdens by focusing on incremental, owner-friendly changes. Below, I'll outline key reforms drawn from existing examples and proposals, emphasizing how they help owners.

1. Custody and Dispute Resolution in Family Law

Reforms that treat dogs as "family members" in divorce or inheritance cases, requiring courts to consider the animal's best interests (e.g., bond with owners, living environment) rather than just dividing them as assets. This could reduce emotional stress for owners by prioritizing fair, welfare-based outcomes. 

Example: California's AB2274 law mandates evaluating a pet's well-being in custody disputes, helping owners avoid adversarial property battles. Similar models in Spain recognize pets as sentient, allowing shared custody arrangements that reflect ongoing care responsibilities.  

Benefit to owners: Provides legal tools for amicable resolutions, potentially including visitation rights, which supports long-term emotional bonds without full loss of the dog.

2. Enhanced Welfare Standards with Owner IncentivesLaws explicitly acknowledging canine sentience to strengthen anti-cruelty protections, while offering tax deductions, subsidies, or insurance rebates for responsible ownership (e.g., spaying/neutering, training classes, or microchipping).

Example: Sentience legislation in places like Brussels and the EU has led to broader welfare frameworks that distinguish animals from objects, encouraging preventive care without banning ownership. 

Proposals for systematic dog law frameworks include sentience-based protections that reward compliant owners with reduced fees for licensing or vet services.

Benefit to owners: Lowers costs and promotes better-behaved, healthier dogs, reducing issues like abandonment or behavioral problems that stem from neglect.
3. Regulated Breeding and Adoption ProcessesReforms that recognize sentience by imposing ethical breeding standards (e.g., health screenings, limits on litter frequency) without prohibiting private ownership or sales, coupled with streamlined adoption from shelters.

Example: Spain's 2022 Civil Code update classifies animals as sentient, curbing exploitative practices like puppy mills while allowing regulated transfers.  
 This could extend to incentives for adopting sentient-recognized dogs, such as government-funded training programs.

Benefit to owners: Ensures access to healthier breeds, minimizes genetic issues, and supports a sustainable pet market that aligns with owners' desires for specific traits.
4. Medical and End-of-Life Decision-Making Protections Frameworks granting owners primary decision rights for veterinary care and euthanasia, but with sentience-based guidelines to prevent abuse (e.g., mandatory second opinions for elective procedures).
Example: Broader sentience laws, as discussed in animal welfare analyses, implicitly protect animals while empowering owners to make informed choices without excessive bureaucracy. 

Updates to view pets as companions rather than property could include legal shields against liability for good-faith decisions.  
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Benefit to owners: Balances autonomy with ethical oversight, reducing guilt or legal risks in tough situations like terminal illness.
5. Public Education and Support Programs Government or NGO-led initiatives promoting sentience awareness through free resources, like workshops on dog behavior and needs, integrated into ownership licensing.
Example: Calls for updated legal frameworks that treat animals as deserving of rights emphasize education to bridge the gap between property status and full personhood.  

 This could include community programs that help owners meet sentience standards affordably.

Benefit to owners: Builds knowledge to avoid common pitfalls (e.g., anthropomorphism), fostering stronger human-dog relationships and fewer surrenders to shelters.
These reforms draw from successful implementations that improve animal outcomes without alienating owners, potentially leading to happier, more stable pet households. They avoid extremes like outright bans on ownership by focusing on mutual benefits, though implementation would require stakeholder input to tailor them locally. If adopted thoughtfully, they could mitigate the negatives while empowering responsible dog ownership.

We urge you, Governor Ayotte, State Representatives, Senators, and the chairs of the House Judiciary Committee, to take earnest action in updating our laws here in New Hampshire and across our country. Join us in championing this vital cause. Help us ensure that future generations in New Hampshire and across our country grow up in a society where pets are recognized as cherished family members, not mere chattel.

Help start a movement to change our laws across our country to stop our pets from being considered property and our families from knowing the heartbreak of losing their beloved pets, because a judgement considers them property.

Please sign this petition and help us bring much-needed change and justice for our pets.