Pet custody disputes draw increasing attention in China, where pets are treated as property

In China, pets have become integral to people's lives and relationships, particularly among younger couples. As romance ends, determining custody over pets has become a contentious legal issue. According to pet industry data, China's urban dog and cat population grew to 126 million in 2025, largely fueled by Gen Z and millennials.

Many young couples treat their pets like children, referring to each other as the "Mum" and "Dad" of their pets. Online posts pleading for help with post-breakup pet custody have become common on mainland Chinese social media. Desperate owners often seek legal guidance on retrieving a cat from an ex-partner or including dog custody in divorce agreements.

However, Chinese pet law has historically focused on administrative management, with recent emphasis on animal welfare. Under current law, pets are strictly classified as personal property, with no provisions for custody or visitation rights akin to those for minor children. Courts rely on purchase receipts, adoption records, microchip registrations, and veterinary bills to determine ownership, but an owner's emotional attachment is challenging to quantify legally.

In 2024, Shenzhen's Futian District Court ruled in favor of the original owner in a dispute over a dog named Kele. In another case, a couple's dispute over two cats in Qingdao escalated to violence, resulting in one partner being stabbed by the other. This extreme case highlights the emotional bonds between owners and their pets.

As pet culture evolves faster than the legal framework, some online observers urge couples to plan ahead and agree on custody before relationships end. Pet owners spare no expense in caring for their furry companions, from pet kindergartens to specialized treatments and grief services. As pets become more emotionally significant than inanimate property, some suggest couples should establish custody agreements to protect these animals from unnecessary pain.