What is Kano's Law?

Kano's Law will protect all companion animals, also known as pets, and responsible guardians or caregivers.  It extends to cases of divorce, separation, and domestic violence, as well as animal cruelty, neglect, and abandonment.   

Envision this all too-common scenario: a couple is in the process of a separation, and they are disputing custody of the pet.  One of the partners had bought the pet as a gift for the other, but now wants to claim sole custody, citing that he/she bought the animal, therefore, the animal belongs solely to him/her.  Perhaps this person doesn't share a bond with the pet and is merely using the pet to emotionally harm the other partner.  This person may even have a history of domestic violence or animal abuse, cruelty, and/or neglect.  The other partner, however, shares a strong bond with the pet, was the primary caregiver, and has no history of animal abuse, cruelty, and/or neglect.  Kano's Law would protect and reunite the pet with his/her loving caregiver and would deny the "purchaser" custody due to a history of abuse, cruelty, and/or neglect.

Or, imagine an abused or neglected animal is surrendered to a shelter only for that same "owner" to return some days or months later to reclaim his/her "property."  This can, and oftentimes does, turn into a devastating cycle.  Kano's law would prohibit this.  Under Kano's Law, shelters would be able to retain custody of animals who suffered neglect or abuse, because the laws would favor the party who can best provide a safe, healthy life for those animals.  This would allow the animal to be adopted or fostered into a loving and safe home.

Picture instead that a family discovers an animal wandering outside.  The animal exhibits clear signs of abuse and/or neglect.  The family has the animal scanned for a microchip, but there is none.  The family puts a good faith effort to locate the animal’s owner(s).  The family nurses the animal back to health, bonds with the animal, and welcomes the animal into their family unit.  Months or years go by, and then one day the original owner sues the family for custody of the animal.  During the trial, the family submits photographic evidence of the condition of the animal, and perhaps it is even discovered that the original owner has been investigated or convicted of animal neglect in the past.  Sighting Kano’s Law, the court would rule in favor of the family, ensuring the animal remains in a loving, safe, and healthy home.