This collection investigates the moral status of companion animals and the ethical implications of the human-pet relationship. Edited by philosopher Christine Overall, the volume compiles eighteen scholarly articles from an international cohort of contributors. The text utilizes analytical philosophy to evaluate the responsibilities humans hold toward domestic animals, specifically dogs and cats, within the context of modern society.

Experts in the field of animal ethics recognize this volume as a significant contribution to the academic discourse on companion animals. Readers frequently note the rigorous philosophical density of the prose, which serves as a foundational resource for students and scholars of ethics.