Can I Leave a Gift for my Pet in my Will? FAQs 

Many of us consider our pets to be part of the family. They offer companionship, unconditional love, and in some cases, even improve our well-being. So it’s no surprise that people want to make sure their pets will be looked after if something happens to them. 

While Oprah Winfrey is reportedly leaving $30 million for her dogs, and the late Karl Lagerfeld’s cat, Choupette, is allegedly sitting on a $1.5 million fortune, how does the UK law navigate pets inheriting money? 

In this article, our Consultant Private Client Solicitor TEP, Sophie Booker, explores this uncertainty many face, seeking to answer the question: how can you ensure the best future for your pets after you pass? 

Can I leave a gift for my pet in my will?

In short, no, under English law, you cannot leave a gift directly to your pet in your will. In other words, a pet cannot be a beneficiary of a will.

Pets: Property or Family?

According to the Administration of Estates Act 1925, pets are considered ‘personal chattels’, which means possessions. Therefore, as odd as it sounds, pets are treated similarly to your car or your furniture, meaning that they cannot inherit money, property, or possessions in their own right. So, while your cat or dog may be the centre of your world, you can’t name them as a beneficiary in your will.  

Can my pet benefit from my will at all?

Although pets can’t directly be left gifts, there are ways to ensure your pet is well cared for after you’re gone. You can do this by: 

• Including provisions in your will that leave your pet to a trusted individual — someone you know will provide a safe and loving home.  
• Setting aside money to help with your pet’s ongoing care, such as food, vet bills, and grooming. 
• Naming a charity you’d like to look after them and find them a new home.

How can pets be included in a will?

This is usually done by making a gift of money to the person who will care for your pet, with a clear expression of your wishes. While this type of gift isn’t legally binding — the recipient doesn’t have to use the money for the pet — most people choose someone they know will honour their intentions.

You can also include a ‘Letter of Wishes’ providing instructions on exactly how you’d like your pet to be cared for.

Alternatively, you may create a Trust, a formal agreement where money is held for your pet’s benefit, or request that your pet be looked after by a specific charity. 

What else should I consider?

The amount of money left for pets must be ‘reasonable’, according to different factors such as the pet’s age, health, life expectancy, and typical care costs. Therefore, following in the footsteps of Oprah’s $30 million gift might not be the best decision, and will likely be subject to challenges from other potential beneficiaries of your will! 

How can we help?

The complexity of this issue highlights the importance of having a professionally prepared will. A properly drafted will ensures that your wishes are clear and legally enforceable — not just for your pet’s care, but for the benefit of all your loved ones. Our lawyers make sure that all your assets are accounted for, even ones you might not consider to be possessions, such as your pets. Without a will, your estate will be divided according to intestacy rules, which follow a set procedure that may not reflect your true wishes and are unlikely to account for pets in the way you’d like.

For further advice or if you would like to complete a will, please contact Sophie Booker: