Most families with pets share their pet care responsibilities among various family members — but what happens when a family splits, the kids go off to school, roommates go their separate ways, or two people who don’t live together want to share a pet. Sometimes others in an existing household can take on new responsibilities, but in some cases, sharing a pet between households may be the best answer. There are several ways to arrange things so that everyone gets time with the pet and the pet gets all the care and consideration he or she needs. The most obvious benefit of sharing a pet is that it can keep existing bonds intact, preserving relationships that would otherwise end when a pet that's spent years within a family goes with one party instead of another. No one wants to say goodbye to a beloved dog or cat if they don’t have to. Some people decide to share pets between households in order to save time and/or money. You’ll want to divvy up support costs as well, discussing everything from basic pet care needs to medical care, grooming, travel arrangements, and so on. Be consistent with timing as possible, as your pet will feel more secure knowing what to expect, and when. Be sure to have a pet-sitter on call for backup in case one of you is unable to care for your dog or cat at the agreed-upon time for some reason.