MA S1206

Courts must consider the "best interests of the animal" when assigning pet ownership in divorce cases, including the pet's health, safety, comfort, and well-being

Factors courts must weigh include each party's history with the animal, time spent caring for it, expenses incurred, and emotional attachment of parties and any children in the household

History of abuse, cruelty, neglect, or violence toward animals or humans by any party or household member must be considered in custody determinations

Shared custody arrangements require division of both time and expenses (food, grooming, training, veterinary visits), with modifications allowed for substantial changes in circumstances

Pets cannot be transferred, concealed, or disposed of during divorce proceedings without written agreement or court order, and courts may enforce pet custody agreements through contempt proceedings