For many people, a dog or cat is much more than a pet — they’re part of the family. Some owners see their pets like a son, daughter, or best friend. But under the law in many places, pets are still treated as property, more like a car or a piece of furniture than a family member.
That legal label can create big problems when families split up. In divorces or ownership disputes, courts may focus on who bought the pet or whose name is on paperwork, instead of what is best for the animal or which person has the strongest bond with it.
Now some people are pushing to change that. A petition to the UK Parliament argues that pets should be legally recognized as family members. Spain has already made similar changes, allowing courts to consider the pet’s welfare and emotional relationships when making decisions.
The debate raises a bigger question: if millions of people treat pets like family, should the law do the same?
Introducing your new favorite duo! JoJo & Gran Gran is a BBC children's animated television series that follows an inquisitive and cheerful 4-and-a-half-year-old girl and her loving grandmother, who always has something new to teach her. Young learners will love learning alongside the diverse cast of characters as they get to know their community and explore the natural world around them.
This is quick and easy seasonal content — perfect for an intro to a life science (plants, trees, flowers) or social studies (holidays!) lesson. Or watch the video and then try what JoJo and Gran Gran did, whether it's making a fruit crumble or writing a poem.
In Orca Life and Hunting Skills, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the world of orcas, the largest and most powerful members of the dolphin family. Follow this pod of nine, including a mother and her calf, as they navigate a narrow channel to hunt elephant seals. Using careful timing and strategy, the mother secures a meal, highlighting the intelligence and skill of these apex predators. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.
For many people, a dog or cat is much more than a pet — they’re part of the family. Some owners see their pets like a son, daughter, or best friend. But under the law in many places, pets are still treated as property, more like a car or a piece of furniture than a family member.
That legal label can create big problems when families split up. In divorces or ownership disputes, courts may focus on who bought the pet or whose name is on paperwork, instead of what is best for the animal or which person has the strongest bond with it.
Now some people are pushing to change that. A petition to the UK Parliament argues that pets should be legally recognized as family members. Spain has already made similar changes, allowing courts to consider the pet’s welfare and emotional relationships when making decisions.
The debate raises a bigger question: if millions of people treat pets like family, should the law do the same?
Introducing your new favorite duo! JoJo & Gran Gran is a BBC children's animated television series that follows an inquisitive and cheerful 4-and-a-half-year-old girl and her loving grandmother, who always has something new to teach her. Young learners will love learning alongside the diverse cast of characters as they get to know their community and explore the natural world around them.
This is quick and easy seasonal content — perfect for an intro to a life science (plants, trees, flowers) or social studies (holidays!) lesson. Or watch the video and then try what JoJo and Gran Gran did, whether it's making a fruit crumble or writing a poem.
In Orca Life and Hunting Skills, narrator Sir David Attenborough explores the world of orcas, the largest and most powerful members of the dolphin family. Follow this pod of nine, including a mother and her calf, as they navigate a narrow channel to hunt elephant seals. Using careful timing and strategy, the mother secures a meal, highlighting the intelligence and skill of these apex predators. This video is excerpted from BBC's Life, a show that explores the remarkable strategies animals and plants use to ensure their survival.