Chile’s Supreme Court has ruled that a cat named Perseo should not be moved between former partners every month, saying the animal’s welfare must take priority over its owners’ interests. The five judges unanimously described the cat as a “sentient being.”
The decision upheld a ruling by the Valdivia Court of Appeals granting the woman the right to care for Perseo. Her former partner had challenged her exclusive custody and sought a shared arrangement for the cat, which the couple acquired during their relationship.
A lower court had initially ruled in his favor, with the monthly handover reportedly set to take place at a police station. The woman appealed.
Although Chile’s Civil Code classifies animals as movable property, the Supreme Court said that shared ownership was not decisive. It also concluded that the former partners’ high level of conflict would make it impossible to ensure the cat’s welfare through shared custody.
Sources: FAZ.