Cat custody case

[Catherine]

There has been a cat custody case going on in Alberta. A couple was together for 6 years and took in 4 cats. They separated in 2023 and have been fighting about the cats ever since. Both want all of them. The judge ruled that they each get two cats. The judge made a point of saying the cats are not children, they are property.

https://www.msn.com/en-ca/news/canada/ju...6b54&ei=16

These cases are so complicated. The judge is right, the cats are not children. Children will grow up and be independent adults. Cats will always be dependents. 
However, cats and any other pets are not the same as toasters and TVs. They are not property in an ordinary sense. They are more a responsibility.
Issues like who can care for the cats do matter. Who the cats prefer should matter. It also should matter which cats prefer to be together.
I don't think the judge's ruling was wrong. It probably was the best solution. I don't like the judge's reasons for the decision. Pets are not ordinary property and should not be disposed of as such. Legal systems will eventually need to address this situation and find appropriate ways of dealing with pets when a couple breaks up.