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What is wrong with stupid old biddies who leave millions to their pets whilst there are plenty of human charities that could do with the money?

I used to feel the same way, but now it doesn't bother me so much. It seems that most fat cats who leave their money to charity don't pick "Food for the Poor" or the Sisters of Charity, cancer research or even their local food pantry. They leave the money to Ivy League colleges, population control organizations like Planned Parenthood (see Warren Buffet), avant garde art institutes that sponsor Mapplethorpe and Annie Sprinkle and NPR (see Joan Kroc, McDonald's tycoon Ray Kroc's widow).

The money for the cat goes into an investment fund, which winds up feeding the overall economy. Some will go to lawyers challenging the will, which is sad. The money actually spent on kitty will provide an income for a small staff, and maintain a nice house. In no more than a decade and change, kitty will use up his last life. Cats' appetites are significant, but not infinite. They don't typically drink booze. They don't take illegal drugs on purpose. Heck, pampered house cats are normally forced into celibacy, so there won't even be heirs! This will probably leave at least $7 million of the $8.5 million untouched. Unless two or more sides of lawyers get particularly randy.

There are worse things to do with the money, and they have been done by the Joan Krocs of this world.

This will probably leave at least $7 million of the $8.5 million untouched. Unless two or more sides of lawyers get particularly randy.

No question in my mind that the lawyers will get more of the money than the kitty and its caregiver.