From on January 5th, 2022, Spain started legally recognising pets as sentient beings, rather than property, strengthening the case for couples seeking shared custody of their animals. The legal change of status, from property to sentient being, also means that pets can no longer be abandoned, seized, or mortgaged.

Germany, Switzerland, Austria, France, and Portugal already have laws in place that recognise animals as living sentient beings with emotions, so legal proceedings work towards their welfare, and hopefully other countries will follow.