Pet Trusts in Oregon: Because Your Furbabies Deserve a Plan Too
At Track Town Law, we help clients plan for the people they love—and sometimes, the animals too.
If your dog is more loyal than your extended family, or your cat rules your house with velvet paws, this one’s for you.
Estate planning for pets might sound quirky at first, but it’s a very real—and increasingly common—concern for Oregonians. Because here’s the truth: if you don’t make a plan for your pets, the law won’t do it for you.
Under Oregon law, pets are treated as property. That means if you pass away or become incapacitated, your animals are distributed just like your car or couch. Whoever inherits them may not be willing—or even able—to care for them. And if no one steps up, the next stop is often a shelter.
That’s where a pet trust comes in.
What Is a Pet Trust?
A pet trust is a legally enforceable arrangement that names a caregiver for your animals and sets aside money to fund their care. Oregon law explicitly allows for these trusts. They can be created within your will, included as part of a revocable living trust, or drafted as a standalone document.
The trust lasts for the lifetime of the animal and includes instructions on how the funds should be used—vet care, food, grooming, boarding, medication, and more. You appoint a caregiver (the person who gets the pet) and a separate trustee (the person who oversees the money). This creates both accountability and flexibility, reducing the chance of neglect, mismanagement, or confusion.
Why Not Just Leave the Pet and Some Cash in My Will?
You can do that—but it’s a gamble. A gift in a will is not enforceable once accepted. If you leave your cousin $5,000 “to care for Fluffy,” and he takes the money but rehomes the cat, there’s no legal recourse.
A trust, on the other hand, is enforceable. The trustee ensures the caregiver is following the terms. If they’re not, the trustee can step in or even replace the caregiver based on your instructions.
How Does It Work in Practice?
Let’s say you have two high-maintenance cats. You trust your friend Emily to care for them, and your brother—who’s allergic to cats—to manage the money. You create a pet trust that names Emily as caregiver and your brother as trustee. You set aside $10,000, include instructions about food and vet preferences, and identify a backup caregiver in case Emily can’t serve.
The trust activates upon your death or incapacity. Emily gets the cats. Your brother oversees the funds. Everyone knows what to do, and your cats never see the inside of a shelter.
How Much Should You Set Aside?
That depends. A healthy indoor cat might need less than a senior dog with ongoing medical needs. A horse, parrot, or exotic pet could require substantially more. You’ll want to consider:
Expected lifespan
Daily and monthly care costs
Medical or medication expenses
Boarding or rehoming potential
Emergency or long-term planning
In Oregon, the court has authority to reduce the trust amount if it finds the sum excessive. So no, you can’t leave your goldfish $5 million. But if your numbers are reasonable and documented, the court will generally uphold your wishes.
Do I Really Need a Full Trust?
Not always. If you’re not ready for a formal trust, you can include a clause in your will that nominates a caregiver and leaves them a cash gift. But again, this comes down to trust—personal trust, not legal trust. If the person doesn’t follow through, there’s no enforcement mechanism.
That’s why we often recommend using a pet trust for long-lived, high-needs, or highly bonded animals, especially when your family dynamics are complex or your estate will take time to administer.
Who Should Consider One?
Anyone whose animals play a central role in their life. That includes:
Seniors with no close family
People with long-lived or exotic pets
Families with special-needs animals
Clients with significant life insurance or estate assets
Pet owners in blended families where priorities might differ
It also includes people who just love their animals enough to make sure they’re not left behind.
How Track Town Law Can Help
At Track Town Law, we integrate pet trusts into broader estate plans for Oregon and Idaho residents. Whether your plan is will-based or trust-based, we’ll help you evaluate whether a pet trust makes sense for your circumstances. Some clients want detailed instructions and contingencies. Others prefer something simple. Either way, we make sure your pets aren’t forgotten.
Best of all, these trusts aren’t prohibitively expensive. When done as part of a complete estate plan, they’re often a modest add-on with major peace of mind.
If your pets are more than just accessories to your life—if they’re companions, protectors, or emotional anchors—it’s time to make a plan.
You can book a free consultation to get started. And don’t forget to review our flat-fee pricing for Oregon estate plans, which include clear guidance on whether a pet trust is right for you.
Next up: we’ll talk about your digital afterlife. Because your estate plan shouldn’t stop at your pets—it should also cover your passwords.
