Directs the court to consider whether the companion animal was acquired prior to or during the marriage; the basic daily needs of the companion animal; the party who generally facilitates veterinary care for the companion animal; the party who generally provides the companion animal with social interaction; the party who generally ensures compliance with state and local regulations regarding the companion animal; and the party who provides the greater ability to financially support the companion animal.
STATE OF NEW YORK
________________________________________________________________________
8927
IN SENATE
January 16, 2026
___________
Introduced by Sen. COONEY -- read twice and ordered printed, and when
printed to be committed to the Committee on Judiciary
AN ACT to amend the domestic relations law, in relation to companion
animals
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assem-bly, do enact as follows:
1 Section 1. Subparagraph 15 of paragraph d of subdivision 5 of part B
2 of section 236 of the domestic relations law, as amended by chapter 509
3 of the laws of 2021, is amended to read as follows:
4 (15) (i) in awarding the possession of a companion animal, the court
5 shall consider the best interest of such animal, including, but not
6 limited to:
7 (A) whether the companion animal was acquired prior to or during the
8 marriage;
9 (B) the basic daily needs of the companion animal;
10 (C) the party who generally facilitates veterinary care for the
11 companion animal;
12 (D) the party who generally provides the companion animal with social
13 interaction;
14 (E) the party who generally ensures compliance with state and local
15 regulations regarding the companion animal; and
16 (F) the party who provides the greater ability to financially support
17 the companion animal.
18 (ii) "Companion animal", as used in this subparagraph, shall have the
19 same meaning as in subdivision five of section three hundred fifty of
20 the agriculture and markets law; and
21 § 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[] is old law to be omitted.
LBD14173-01-5
