Some rich people give their fortune to their relatives when they die (though in the media, it's often On One Condition). Some leave their fortune to charity. And some eccentric types leave their money to... their beloved dog. Or cat, or fancy rat, or parrot, or whatever. Legally, of course, animals cannot own money or property, and domesticated animals are, themselves, property; but a testamentary trust for an animal's care could be set up, and all the estate's assets could go to that trust. Which would leave the trustee in control of the assets. Examples of Pet Heir include: