Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt

Conflicts over animals are among the toughest to resolve. People form deep emotional bonds with their pets-after all, they're members of the family-so when a dispute involves animals, people get just as angry as if the clash were over their human children. When they've finally had enough, they head to court where the law treats the pet as property-as just a thing.

But there's a better way: mediation. Whether your conflict is over who gets the cat in a divorce, how to deal with a barking dog, or any other issue, a neutral mediator can bring you and the other person together so you can hear each other out, acknowledge each other's feelings, and resolve your dispute. Not only can mediation settle the conflict in less time and with less expense than litigation, but it can save and even strengthen relationships.

In "Nipped in the Bud, Not in the Butt: How to Use Mediation to Resolve Conflicts over Animals," litigator-turned-mediator Debra Vey Voda-Hamilton introduces her proven techniques for addressing your conflict, working out a mutually satisfactory solution, and ensuring the well-being of the most important party-the beloved pet or animal in need.