Get

In Your Inbox

Catster is reader-supported. When you buy via links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no cost to you. Learn more.

Estate Planning For Pets: Can You Put Your Cats In Your Will?

young woman owner using laptop with her pet cat

Talking about subjects like estate planning is often uncomfortable. It’s hard to think of a day without your pet, let alone you being the one that leaves this world first. However, we understand your concern, especially if circumstances have forced this conversation on you. The good news is that you have options for ensuring your cats are cared for after you pass. Understanding the law will help you make informed choices.

divider 2 cats

How the Law Views Pets

It may be a bitter pill to swallow, but according to most state laws, pets are property, although there can be some exceptions. Your cats may be priceless to you, but legally, they’re not. Of course, over 95% of pet owners who consider their animal companions family members would disagree.

The other wrinkle with this status is that you can’t leave money to property. In other words, you couldn’t legally put a clause in your will that states, “I leave $10,000 to my cat Oscar.” That also applies to property, so Oscar won’t be getting the house or your car, either. Instead, it’ll revert back to your estate. However, that doesn’t mean you don’t have options to manage your cat’s care after your passing.

cat sitting on desk interrupting her owner
Image Credit: New Africa, Shutterstock

Estate Planning Options for Pets

The simplest solution to arrange your cat’s well-being after you’re gone is to make an agreement with a loved one or trusted friend who agrees to take care of them after your passing. It’s probably the least stressful choice for your cats if they know this person well. Research suggests felines get attached to humans, so it’ll likely be upsetting for your pets to lose you. We recommend discussing these arrangements with the person and other family members to ensure everyone is on board with it.

cat owner with her cat near window
Image Credit: Olezzo, Shutterstock

Putting Your Cats in Your Will

While you can’t leave money to your pets, you can name someone formally and provide them with the funds to manage your cats’ care. That gives you the peace of mind of having things in black and white so that there are no misunderstandings about your wishes. The only hitch is that the use of the money isn’t legally binding should your pet’s guardian squander the cash, instead.

Hopefully, you’ve chosen your cat’s caregiver wisely, making this point a non-issue. We recommend checking on things that may interfere with this arrangement, such as anyone in the family having pet allergies.

cat sleeping on its owner's chest at home
Image Credit: Maliflower73, Shutterstock

Creating a Trust

If you want to be sure your wishes are handled, you can take your estate planning up the legal ladder with the establishment of a trust for your cats. You may remember the lavish trust that American businesswoman Leona Helmsley left her Maltese-Terrier mix Trouble. Her legal team worked with her to set up a $12 million trust for the animal’s care.

This situation highlights the pros and cons of this option. While it is legally binding, it’s also an expensive way to ensure your cats are treated properly. It can be complicated to name a caregiver and overseer to its terms. However, if you want this assurance, a trust gives you that option.

Blone Woman with Russian Blue Cat showing her affection
Image Credit: Nailia Schwarz,Shutterstock

In the Absence of a Will or Provisions

Of course, not everyone likes to think too much about the future. If you don’t have a will or trust, where your cats go depends on whatever arrangements you may have made. Hopefully, someone who knows your pets will step up to care for them. If you have a will but don’t have a pet clause, your residuary beneficiary will likely get them. We hope it’s the same person you would have trusted, anyway.

Remember that your cats are property in the eyes of the law. The absence of a will makes them subject to intestate succession as dictated by your state. We assume this matter is important to you. Therefore, we suggest following through on one of the options, whether it’s a simple non-legal understanding or a will with a pet clause.

cat sleeping on owners lap
Image Credit: Karpova, Shutterstock

divider 2 cats

Final Thoughts

While it’s uncomfortable, it’s also practical to consider what will happen to your cats if you should pass. It’ll likely be a sad and stressful time for everyone, your pets included. Making your wishes known to family and friends can make things a bit easier during this time of mourning. You needn’t worry about your cherished feline companions and can rest assured they’re being cared for as you wanted them to be.

See also:


Featured Image Credit: Monster Ztudio, Shutterstock

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate (you can leave written feedback after clicking submit)

Help us improve Catster for pet parents!

Your feedback really matters.

What did you like about this post? Also how can we improve it?

Join the conversation

Leave a Reply

You’re very welcome to leave a comment or question. Please know that all comments must meet our community guidelines, and your email address will NOT be published. Let’s have a positive and constructive conversation.

Talk With A Vet Online

Peace of mind,
anywhere, anytime

Affordable vet advice

5 Cats Who Inherited Fortunes – List of the Richest Cats in the World

Imagine attending the reading of a will only to find as it’s read that a massive sum of money was left to the...

close-up of a cat with euro banknotes money

How Many Cats Can You Legally Own in Pennsylvania? 2025 Update

Multi-pet homes are not uncommon in the United States, but some states have restrictive laws limiting the type and number of domestic animals...

cat lying on humans lap

Pet Hoarding: How Many Cats Can You Own? Advice & Considerations

It’s not a stretch to say that feline owners become cat-obsessed. There’s a reason why we have the trope of the crazy old...

multiple cats eating from a bowl at home

Is It Legal to Let Your Cat Outside? What The Law States

If you own an energetic, restless cat that frequently cries to go outside, it can be tempting to give in to stop the...

short haired domestic cat sitting outside in fenced

More related

domestic shelter

Do Domestic Violence Shelters Allow Pets? Facts & Safety Tips

According to statistics from the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence (NCADV), one in three women and one in four men experience some type...

a woman holding siamese kittens in her arms

How Many Cats Can You Own In California (Legally & Ethically)

When you imagine bringing a furry ball of joy home, you probably don’t consider the legal aspects. After all, who’s going to care...

young cat owner playing with her pet at home

6 Tips for Sharing Your Home with Cats You Must Know

When we decide to welcome a cat into our home, we can expect a few changes to occur. Your bathroom will have a...

We Talk Pet Hospice and Palliative Care with Coleen Ellis

Confounding to a pet parent is what to do when a pet faces the end of her life. Charged with being the voice...

Keep reading

Does Hot Water Kill Fleas on Cats? Vet-Approved Facts & FAQ

Having a cat in your life is wonderful, but it sometimes comes with a catch: dealing with fleas. Apart from being annoying, flea infestations can trigger allergies, irritation, and even illness. So, getting rid of them as quickly as possible...

woman bathing her cat

Does Rain Kill Fleas? Vet Reviewed Effectiveness & Safety Explained

If your cat has ever had fleas, you’ll know what a pain it is to get rid of them. Trying to find the right method to get rid of fleas while avoiding poisonous pesticides is no joke! And if it’s...

cat in the window watching the rain

Where Do Outdoor Cats Sleep? 7 Places They Like to Curl Up (Vet-Reviewed)

Some cats are strictly indoor pets and prefer lounging on a bed, tower, or sofa. However, others split their time between being inside and outside. So, when it comes to finding a safe place to sleep outdoors, where do our...

cat walking outdoors looking at the camera

10 Best Flea Treatments for Cats (2025) – Reviews & Top Picks

Fleas are a pesky part of owning a cat. They can pop up at practically any point, even if your cat spends all their time inside. Once you have an infestation, they are very hard to get rid of. They...

Man in gloves holds medicine

How Do Cats Clean Themselves? Normal Behavior & Advice (Vet-Reviewed)

Cats are known for their impressive ability to self-groom. However, there is a line between healthy grooming and compulsive grooming. Likewise, some cats under-groom. Both compulsive grooming and under-grooming occur due to other underlying health problems. Understanding what’s normal for...

white himalayan cat grooming hepper pod bed

Scruffing a Cat: Vet-Reviewed Risks & Safety Advice

Cats have been beloved companions to humans for centuries; art, writing, and antiquities from cultures across the world feature cats. Due to their popularity, cat enthusiasts often find themselves navigating a vast sea of information on how to best care...

Owner grabbing a cat by the Scruff

Why Do Cats Gag? 10 Vet-Verified Reasons & When to Worry

Our cats are always nosing about, getting into all sorts of things. They see something peculiar, and what better thing to do than give it a good sniff? If your cat gags a lot, you might wonder what gives. Some...

cat gagging

Can Cats Get Strep Throat? Vet-Reviewed Signs, Treatment & Prevention

Cats, like all living things, are vulnerable to various diseases, including bacterial infections. But can cats get strep throat? Cats can contract different strains of Streptococcus, most commonly S. canis. However, in extremely rare cases, they can contract the strain...

Yawning, choking, coughing Cat close up