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 Colorado, pet owners can create a trust to ensure the care and well-being of their pets after the owner's death or incapacitation. Colorado 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 establishes the trust by naming a trustee who will manage and administer the trust according to the terms set out in the trust agreement. The pet itself is considered the beneficiary of the trust. The trust ensures that the pet will be taken care of according to the owner's wishes, with the trustee responsible for making decisions about the pet's care, including food, shelter, veterinary care, and other needs. Colorado's pet trust law can be found under Colorado Revised Statutes, Title 15, Article 11, Part 2 (15-11-901 to 15-11-908), which provides the legal framework for the creation and operation of pet trusts in the state.