Split custody of pets might seem unusual, but it could become increasingly common.

Alaska just became the first state to require courts to “take into consideration the well-being of the animal” and empower judges to assign joint custody of pets – the same agreement Poth and his partner worked out.

“Not everybody can create an arrangement like he and I have. It’s a unique situation we happen to still be good friends and we get along very well,” Poth said.

In most of the country, pets are considered property by courts, just like a lamp or a couch. The new Alaskan law treats pets similar to the way children are in divorce cases.