01
Responsible care
The proposal centers the duties that come with guardianship: humane care, accountability, and respect for community standards.
A South Carolina citizen proposal
The law should recognize the animals who are family.
Bowie’s Act calls for a distinct legal status for companion animals—one that honors their place in our homes while preserving responsible care, public safety, and animal welfare obligations.
A proposal for recognition with responsibility at its core.
Bowie
The proposal, in plain language
A clearer place for companion animals in South Carolina law.
A civic case for recognition that stays rooted in the responsibilities people owe to animals and one another.
What Bowie's Act seeks to change
The proposal asks lawmakers to consider a legal status that better reflects the lived relationship between people and their companion animals.
What it preserves
Responsible ownership, public-safety protections, and animal-welfare obligations remain essential to the proposal.
“Companion animals are more than property. They are part of the daily fabric of family life.”
Recognition with responsibility
A proposal built to protect what matters.
These are campaign principles for public discussion—not a substitute for the final language lawmakers may consider.
02
Public safety
Recognition should work alongside practical protections for neighbors, communities, and the people who share public spaces.
03
Animal welfare
A distinct status must strengthen—not weaken—the expectation that companion animals are treated with care and dignity.
For the animals who are family.
Why it matters
The bond is personal. The responsibility is shared.
“Our pets aren’t furniture. They aren’t replaceable possessions. They’re living companions who give us love, comfort, protection, and support. Bowie’s Act asks South Carolina to recognize qualifying companion animals as more than ordinary personal property—while preserving responsibilities for proper care, veterinary treatment, licensing, public safety, and humane treatment.”
Why this matters to South Carolina families
Take action in South Carolina
Your voice belongs in the conversation.
Signing is one meaningful step. A personal, respectful message to the state representative and senator who serve your district can help bring Bowie's Act into the conversation.
Contact your lawmakers01
Sign the pledge
Add your name to show that companion-animal recognition matters to South Carolina residents.
02
Find your lawmakers
Find the state representative and senator who serve your district through the South Carolina Legislature.
03
Make the ask
Ask them to support Bowie's Act and consider a responsible legal status for companion animals.
Read the petition
Review the petition before you add your voice.
Read the complete petition online, then download the fillable copy to complete and share.
Bowie’s Act Fillable Petition
Add your name
1,000+
supporter pledges envisioned for launch
Stand for a more thoughtful legal future for companion animals.
Join South Carolinians asking lawmakers to consider Bowie's Act with compassion, responsibility, and care.
Add your voice
Sign the Bowie's Act pledge
Your pledge will be delivered as part of the campaign’s supporter outreach. We collect only the details needed to verify and organize support.
Petition collection will be available in the next campaign phase.