Pet Custody Mediation & Guidance for divorcing or separating couples.
Pet Custody Services and Courses for Mediators, Lawyers and Animal Professionals
Pet Custody Mediation & Guidance
for divorcing or separating couples.
When couples separate, the family pet is often the hardest thing to figure out.
Most people navigating divorce don't know how to reach a pet custody arrangement that actually works longterm — for themselves, or for their pets. That uncertainty is often costly: emotionally, financially, and for the pets caught in the middle.
I'm Karis Nafte — certified dog behaviour consultant, mediator, and author of Who Keeps the Dog, a reference guide used by lawyers and mediators across the USA, UK, and Australia.
I help divorcing couples reach pet custody agreements that are fair, practical, and sustainable for everyone involved, including your pet. Together, we will focus on your needs, the legal process, and what is in the genuine best interest of your dog, cat or parrot.
Pet custody mediation is voluntary, private, and reaches a written agreement — without the cost, conflict, or loss of control that comes with going to court.
I work online with clients across the USA, UK, Australia, and South Africa.
Book a free introductory chat— let's talk about your pet, your situation, and how I can help.
When mediation is not an option.
Every divorce is different, and mediation isn't the right fit for every couple. If your situation makes mediation difficult or impossible, I can still help. I offer guidance on the pet custody landscape, your available options, and practical next steps. Where appropriate, I also provide arbitration and expert witness services.
Who Keeps the Dog is a compassionate, practical guide book for anyone navigating pet custody during separation or divorce. For the people who love their dog deeply and genuinely don't know what comes next. Drawing on years of experience as an animal behavior consultant, Karis Nafte helps you understand what your dog needs, and how to make decisions you can live with in the long term.
Endorsement by Patricia McConnell, author, PhD, CAAB Emeritus:
“Some of my most difficult consults have been about “who keeps the dog” when couples are separating. If only I’d had this thoughtful, practical, and compassionate book to hand my clients! Karis Nafte has all the skills needed to write this book—regarding canine behavior, the law, and as a practicing consultant. It’s the perfect addition to any consultant shelf, and for anyone facing difficult decisions about their beloved dog.”
Endorsement by Kenneth Cloke, Author The Magic in Mediation and Mediating Dangerously :
“Karis Nafte has written a unique, important, and highly useful book about a problem that is so common you would think dozens of books would have been written about it. As a divorce mediator, I have encountered many bitter disputes over pet custody, yet as a mediation trainer, I find it largely ignored – probably because Karis Nafte’s book had not yet been written.”
“I heard Karis speak on several excellent podcasts about who keeps the dog and this book is written with the same compassion and insight….”
“This book is phenomenal, Karis is the pet custody expert, and perhaps the only one. Her guidance is so valuable, and allows couples to truly understand what is best for their pet...”
“This book is an incredibly valuable resource written by someone who has deep insight into dog behaviour and human nature (especially in conflict)...”
Karis has been featured in the following publications, TV shows and podcasts:
2025/26 Publications and Media
Pets aren't just property—they're family members whose futures can become devastating casualties of divorce warfare. In this essential chapter, author Karis Nafte addresses the emotionally charged issue of pet custody, revealing how beloved animals too often become pawns in power struggles rather than having their own needs considered.
Divorce is never easy, but when you add the complexity of a beloved dog or cat into the equation, things can become even more difficult and emotional for everyone involved. This article aims to provide some guidelines for divorce professionals to help their clients address the issue of “who keeps the dog?”
Today we’d like to introduce you to Karis.
Hi Karis, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I didn’t set out to become the world’s first dog behavior consultant & pet custody mediator. I set out to understand dogs.