Illinois courts treated pets as property. HB 4540 was born from that injustice. Passed by both chambers, it now awaits the governor’s signature.
Illinois already protects companion animals in divorce proceedings. But if you were never married, the law had nothing to offer you. Justice for Rosie exists to close that gap — and HB 4540, the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act, just passed both chambers. But Rosie has still not returned to her person who made this possible.
What if your dog was more than property in court?
Illinois law still treats pets as property. We're working to change that, and we want you with us.
Tameer Siddiqui
I’m Rosie’s person, a clinical psychologist, and founder of the Rosie’s Law Initiative. I started this because the law failed us — and I’m not letting it stand. Read my story and research, listen to the podcast, and explore my literary series inspired by Rosie.
Tameer Siddiqui, PsyD
Founder, Justice for Rosie - Rosie's Law Initiative
Prior to founding the initiative, Tameer experienced the profound shortcomings of current companion animal law firsthand. During a civil dispute, her senior puggle, Rosie, was removed from her care — not based on an assessment of caregiving or wellbeing, but solely under property statutes. The court awarded possession to the individual who had Rosie first, despite that person’s inability to demonstrate legal ownership and despite Tameer’s role as Rosie’s primary caregiver for half of Rosie's life.
The law already protects animals in divorce. It should protect them everywhere.
Rosie's Law Initiative represents a transformative approach to animal welfare. By shifting how courts view companion animals, they're creating a framework that protects both animals and the caregivers who've made them central to their lives.
Animal Welfare Advocate, Illinois
What Tameer is building with the Rosie's Law Initiative goes beyond one state. This legislation model could reshape how companion animals are protected nationwide by finally treating caregiving as legally meaningful.
Family Law Attorney, Illinois
The Rosie's Law Initiative tackles a real gap in Illinois law. Pets deserve legal protections based on actual caregiving relationships, not just property claims. This legislation finally makes that possible.
Member, Illinois Animal Protection Coalition
Companion animals depend on their primary caregivers for survival and wellbeing. The Rosie's Law Initiative ensures courts will actually consider these bonds when disputes arise, protecting both animals and the people who care for them.
Veterinarian and Animal Behavior Specialist, Illinois
Too often, companion animals get caught in legal disputes without anyone considering their actual relationships and needs. Rosie's Law Initiative changes that by requiring courts to look at care, cost, control, and stability. It's overdue.
LCSW & Coercive Control Specialist, Licensed in Illinois
The legislation HB4540 backed by the Rosie's Law Initiative gives companion animals real legal standing based on their actual lived relationships. This is modern animal ethics translated into law.
Professor, Animal Law, Northwestern University School of Law
Four factors. One standard. Applied fairly. Now law.
These are the factors HB 4540 requires courts to weigh when companion animal custody is in dispute between unmarried partners. Now awaiting governor signature in Illinois.
1
Care — Who fed, walked, and provided day-to-day attention
2
Cost — Who bore financial responsibility for veterinary and care expenses
3
Control — Who exercised primary decision-making over the animal’s welfare
4
Continuity — Which arrangement offers greatest stability for the animal
Share your story or offer your support
Are you an attorney, clinician, lawmaker, or someone who has lived through a similar dispute? We want to hear from you. This initiative was built on exactly these stories — and now the bill has passed the House & Senate, we're building what comes next.