Because the law considers pets personal property and not human beings, pets cannot own property, and a pet owner cannot leave money or assets to a pet in a will or a trust. But a pet owner can provide for the care and well-being of a pet or pets in a traditional trust or in a statutory pet trust (authorized under a state’s statutes).

For example, the pet owner (known as the grantor, settlor, or trustor) will create a trust for a named pet or pets (the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the trust), place money or income-producing assets in the trust and name a trustee to manage and administer the trust for the benefit of the pet or pets, as provided in the trust agreement.

For a brief summary of each state’s pet trust laws and the state statutes where you can find them, copy and paste this URL in your internet browser: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/pet-planning/pet-trust-laws

In Oregon, pet owners can legally provide for the care and well-being of their pets after their death through the establishment of a pet trust. Oregon law recognizes pet trusts, which allows a pet owner to designate a certain amount of money or assets to be used for the care of their pets. The pet owner sets up the trust by naming a trustee who will manage the trust and ensure that the pet is cared for according to the instructions laid out in the trust agreement. The pet trust remains in effect for the life of the pet or 21 years, whichever is shorter. The relevant statutes governing pet trusts in Oregon can be found in the Oregon Revised Statutes, specifically ORS 130.185.