A living being was ruled a piece of property. HB 4540 exists because of that. And it just passed.
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 is still not home.
Tameer Siddiqui
A licensed clinical psychologist and the founder of Rosie's Law Initiative. Tameer built this initiative not as an activist, but as someone who encountered a structural failure in the law — and refused to leave it in place.
Tameer Siddiqui, PsyD
Founder, Justice for Rosie
Licensed clinical psychologist, Chicago. Former VA hospital PTSD clinician. Advocate for HB 4540 — the Companion Animal Custody Equity Act. Dr. Siddiqui spent over two years in a VA hospital PTSD unit before founding this initiative after her companion animal Rosie was taken in a civil dispute the law was not equipped to adjudicate fairly.
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.
Dr. Margaret Chen
Animal Welfare Advocate, Chicago
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.
James Rodriguez
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.
Sarah Kim
Director, 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.
Dr. Robert Hayes
Veterinarian and Animal Behavior Specialist, Chicago
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.
Lisa Hernandez
Coercive Control Specialist, 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 David Walsh
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 enacted 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, we're building what comes next.