For many people, pets are beloved family members. While pets can't legally inherit property or money in England and Wales, you can make provisions in your Will to ensure they're well cared for after your death.
The simplest approach is to leave your pet to a named person in your Will, along with a cash gift to cover their care. This works well if you have a trusted friend or family member who is willing and able to take on your pet.
For more comprehensive protection, you can set up a 'pet trust' within your Will. This establishes a fund managed by a trustee specifically for the care of your pet, with clear guidelines on how the money should be spent.
You should consider including details such as: preferred veterinary practice, dietary requirements, exercise routine, any ongoing medical needs, and whether the pet should be rehomed if the named carer can't continue.
In 2026, there are several animal charities that offer rehoming and care services for pets whose owners have died. Including one of these as a backup in your Will provides an additional safety net.
If you have horses, exotic animals, or a large number of pets, the provisions may need to be more detailed and the trust fund larger.
At Castle Family Legal, we can include pet provisions in your Will as part of our standard service. Contact us to discuss your wishes for your animal companions.
