Mexico City, August 6, 2026 – The question of who cares for a ‘fur-baby’ or ‘cat-child’ when a couple divorces, an increasingly common concern for those who consider their pets integral family members, has reached the Mexico City Congress. An initiative has been proposed to guarantee the care and well-being of companion animals after their owners’ separation.
Proposed Civil Code Reform for Pet Alimony
The proposal seeks to reform the Civil Code of Mexico City to include companion animals in divorce agreements, providing for their alimony, veterinary care, and other necessary provisions. Luisa Ledesma Alpízar, a local deputy from the Citizen’s Movement and proponent of the initiative, stated that the objective is to prevent dogs, cats, and other animals from facing economic abandonment after a separation and to establish clear rules regarding the responsibilities of those who shared their care.
Just weeks ago, the case of ‘Lucas,’ a husky, set a precedent when a judicial resolution mandated that both individuals who had shared his care must continue to contribute to his maintenance through a monthly payment and proportional payment of his veterinary expenses, even after their relationship ended.
Key Provisions of the Proposed Pet Alimony Initiative in CDMX:
- Pet Alimony: A judge would be able to determine how expenses for food, veterinary care, medications, rehabilitation, and other necessary care to ensure the animal’s well-being will be covered.
- Applicability Beyond Marriage: The initiative also includes cohabiting couples or any other cohabitation relationship that shared the care of a pet.
- Recognition of Unpaid Care: In addition to financial contributions, the time, effort, and dedication of the person who remains in charge of the animal will be considered.
- Protective Measures: It establishes who can request the establishment or modification of maintenance, provides for provisional measures to protect the animal from the beginning of the proceedings, and creates mechanisms to guarantee compliance with obligations.
- Prioritizing Animal Welfare: All decisions must be governed by the principle of the superior interest of sentient beings, with the aim of ensuring they never lack food, medical attention, and necessary care after their caregivers’ separation.
The proposal is based on the principle of the superior interest of sentient beings, which establishes that any decision that may affect their life or well-being must prioritize the alternative that offers them greater protection.
Continuing the ‘Who Gets the Dog?’ Reform
The legislator pointed out that this initiative is a continuation of the reform known as ‘Who Gets the Dog?’, through which Mexico City became the first entity in the country to ensure that the welfare of pets does not depend solely on the goodwill of people, but becomes a legal obligation.
“When a couple breaks up, the life of a sentient being continues. Sentient beings cannot become the invisible victims of a separation,” said Ledesma Alpízar.
During a virtual session of the Permanent Commission, the Board of Directors indicated that the reform initiative will be forwarded to the Animal Welfare Commission for analysis and opinion.
This legislative effort reflects a growing recognition of pets as more than just property, but as living beings with needs that require legal protection, especially during significant life changes for their human companions.
