Millionaire Pets: Richest Animals In The World (INFOGRAPHIC)

These pets are millionaires, and they have the diamond collars and mini-mansions to prove it.

The fortune recently left to Tommaso, a cat in Rome owned by an heiress, sparked a newfound interest in wealthy pets. Tommaso's rags-to-riches life made his story even more compelling.

ABC News reported in December that Tommaso's $13 million inheritance makes him the third richest pet in the world, and he is left also with properties in Rome and Milan.

But while some pets may be rolling (sniffing, gnawing, napping) in money, millions of other pets around the world are struggling to survive. The Humane Society estimates that 3-4 millions pets are euthanized each year in the U.S. alone. If you're interested in helping a pet in need of a home, consider adoption and visit Petfinder.com or ASPCA's website to learn more.

Check out the infographic below provided by visualy.ly of millionaire pets:

by visually via

Comments

[mugwhump]

09:15 PM on 01/21/2012

I may not be wealthy but my dogs are treated to whatever I can provide them. They get regular visits to their doctor and my love.

[TruelyFedUp]

09:57 PM on 01/21/2012

Thank you for your pleasant, sane comment. Truly.

[mugwhump]

10:14 PM on 01/21/2012

There is no shortage of love for my dogs.

[GOODDOC1]

10:15 PM on 01/21/2012

I'm the same way. My Furrball gets the very best food, and if it comes down to it (and at the end of a couple of months it has) he eats before I do!

[mugwhump]

10:31 PM on 01/21/2012

My dogs come before me in every instance. Food or medical treatment.

[crestmia]

08:06 PM on 01/21/2012

Sick people who are so out of touch with reality and have not one caring gene in their DNA.
The article is an insult to the human race when there are so many deserving persons who could make the world a better place if they just had a few dollars to make it happen. Not discounting starving children, women and men in the US which is a disgrace.
Yes, I have two adorable dogs which I adopted from a local no-kill shelter and I love all types of animals so it has no reflection on the feelings for pets.

[PecheFR]

03:01 PM on 01/21/2012

Tommasino? Can I borrow $2,000.00? Your 'cousin' Chanel was in the hospital for over a week at Thanksgivingtime and I can't pay the bill (I'm on unemployment). She needs further care, but they want me to pay down the current amount due before incurring additional charges.

Please help!!!

[Phoenix Lee]

02:57 PM on 01/21/2012

people your going to sheol if you worship your pets more than the WORD[ john 1] idolatry has no place in the kingdom of heaven.

[bigpapapuff425]

03:25 PM on 01/21/2012

HUH??

[seanymph007]

02:32 PM on 01/21/2012

With these funds MILLIONS of animals (and thier caretakers), both domestic and wild, could be 'taken care of' in an appropraite, constructive and productive manner; in homes, shelters, animal hospitals, and sanctuarys worldwide. These funds COULD be used to save/protect tracts of land in suburbs, forests, jungles, aquatic environs for use as animal habitats AND education and training centers for Animal Husbandry and related purposes; including vetrinary schools, stray/feral & wildlife management programs, zooligical & biological study centers, organic waste recycling, animal disease research/epidemiology...

Instead, one or two cats, dogs, monkeys, chickens will wear diamonds and "live like kings": WASTEFUL & VERY SAD!

[ToniWal]

02:20 PM on 01/21/2012

What happens to the money when these pets expire, such as Leona Helmsley's did?

[HDDuece]

09:44 PM on 01/21/2012

They will leave it to their heirs!!!LOL

[Stevenson52]

01:49 PM on 01/24/2012

The money reverted to the estate.

[Mom4Matt]

12:32 PM on 01/21/2012

I wonder if Tommasino would lend me $5000 to pay for my son's braces. Interest free of course. I promise to make regular payments.

[barbee61]

10:20 PM on 01/21/2012

I'm 74 ,worked and I get 707.00 a month boy, It would be so nice if one of these dogs will lend me-no, give me a few thousand dollars to help out with medical insurance.

[farrellclan4]

09:09 AM on 01/21/2012

If the doggies in question get bored I have a lovely old dachsi that would like some of the attributes that theyare getting

[Just my two cents]

08:46 AM on 01/21/2012

I am dissapointed with the excessive money left to a pet instead of maybe helping our fellow human beings or if animals are whats most important during your living life then by all means leave at least some of this money to benefit pets around the world instead of so many going on to be "Put Down" or abused ect.. I agree with making sure your pet has a wonderful life after the owner may pass but there has to be some kind of common sense used here with better ways to use this excessive amount of money. I realize it is the persons money and they are free to spend it how they wish but something is just a bit off "upstairs" to squander these excessive amounts when it could do so much good for many more animals and humans as well. Exactly how is Fido going to tell you what he wants specifically for dinner or what color of fire hydrant he wants installed fo the bathroom remodeling that needs done?

[gordo001]

11:40 AM on 01/21/2012

I couldn't agree with you more. The owners must not care for humans much if they leave the pets with this amount of money.

[armyvet71]

03:13 PM on 01/21/2012

Animals are better than the majority of the so called poor in this country, no matter what a animal gets it appreciates it, the deadbeats in this country just accept it as what they are owed by the productive and succesful and just keep sticking out their hand for more

[barbee61]

10:25 PM on 01/21/2012

How long will they live to use up this kind of moola? Why not leave at lot of this money to cancer research. What about our children in the USA suffering from poverty like the appalachian families.

[ToniWal]

02:23 PM on 01/21/2012

Pets are a very wonderful part of our lives. The ancient Egyptians did it, as did the Greeks and Romans! I see nothing wrong with leaving the money to these pets, but because of the life spans of their particular breed, I wouldn't leave SO MUCH! I plan on leaving everything to my dogs! Human beings--not so! They disappoint and don't do what you would want them to do, like help others!

[TruelyFedUp]

10:01 PM on 01/21/2012

You mean help people this way? www.the-communal-solution.us

[beyondliberal]

05:53 PM on 01/20/2012

I have a cockatoo that will outlive me by decades if cared for properly. Since my son wants nothing to do with her, I'll have little choice but to bequeath to her a substantial trust fund to allow for sanctuary care. I figure she'll need at least $50,000. Sorry, but nothing will be left for diamonds!

[feistyredheadct]

02:52 PM on 01/21/2012

Me too. I have a yellow naped amazon. My Will is written up for the TOTAL care of my pets. Whatever is left, who cares where it goes. lol As long as my pets will be taken care of until they pass, I'm happy.

[mzrecycle]

07:35 AM on 01/20/2012

What these pets got when the millionaire was alive was close personal, loving attention. Once the person dies and the pet is willed large sums of money, the pet gets a caretaker. It's a job, with a good salary. I can't imagine they have that close loving relationship with the animal.

My feeling is that millionaire pet owners should find real animal lovers that want the pet with no financial incentive. That's the way to provide for the well loved pet. Good healthy food, familiar toys and bed, opportunity to run and play AND a person or family that really loves the pet is really all they want.

[GOODDOC1]

05:16 PM on 01/21/2012

Maybe they already have, and they've specifically said in their will who the caretakers are to be. They may have decided well before the will was made out. I have no money to leave for the care of my Furrball, but I have a friend who loves him (and the feeling seems to be mutual) who has already agreed to care for him when I die. If something happens to her, he'll go back to the Humane Society where I got him. They're a true no-kill shelter, run entirely by volunteers, and they'll take good care of him.

[mzrecycle]

07:15 AM on 01/22/2012

Furrball is a very lucky pet. This is exactly the kind of prior arrangement that provides what the pet really needs. Best to both of you.

[mlaiuppa]

06:15 PM on 01/19/2012

See. The 1%ers need their tax breaks. How else will they support their dogs in the manner to which they have become accustomed.

[aristocat12]

11:28 AM on 01/21/2012

The 1% deserve it because they already pay too much in taxes at least 35 % and Obama would like it to be 45 %, why doesn't Obama make the CEOs in big companies pay taxes they get away with no taxes, and all his hollywood friends that dont pay their fair share, look at Kerry and his wife they pay very little why is that? Stop blaming the rich who already pay enough make everyone all 100% of americans pay taxes not gripe because some people have more money than you and you want them taxed to death.

[barbee61]

10:28 PM on 01/21/2012

Good for You! Right on!

[clifcourt]

11:34 AM on 01/21/2012

There are no Tax breaks for pets. Take you propaganda elsewhere.

[Goddess Athena]

04:53 PM on 01/19/2012

I love my pets and have made provisions to have them cared for if I were to pass away suddenly. But these figures are a bit obscene. Pets don't care about diamond collars and luxury. They want love, a home, food and care. If you really want to provide for your pets that's fine, it's your money. But if you call yourself an animal lover, please consider donating to help homeless animals.

[Raymond Madore]

02:33 PM on 01/19/2012

well, i'm going to put it out there.
i find it shameful to see material weatlh spent on pets in such lavish ways.

may i suggest that such folks consider the show 'Secret Millionarie'

sry but 'for the grace of the gods go I' do something plse

[peacekitten]

01:48 PM on 01/19/2012

the people who're trying to portray this as a waste, when that money could be spent on humans, ought to be thoroughly and completely ASHAMED of themselves. first of all, it's NOT their money, and it's NOT their choice. the people who bequeathed this money to their pets did so because they chose to leave it to their BEST FRIEND, those loyal and loving to them no matter what. these wealthy people were smart enough to recognize their true friends, and wanted to see to it that they were cared for for the rest of their lives. the owners of this cash are the ONLY ones who should be making the choice of who to leave it to when they pass on. PERIOD. it does not automatically belong to greedy, grasping people who are genetically related to them. kudos to these people for being wise enough to recognize TRUE loyalty and love where they find it, and to be selfless enough to make sure that their precious friends will be cared for always. SHAME on those who would deny that, just because they think they know best what to do with someone else's money. btw, anyone considering doing such a wonderful thing for their pets should put a provision in their will that will stop any contest in its tracks, by providing that anyone who contests it will automatically only be able to inherit the sum of one dollar, no matter what happens. it's legal, and it's done every day.

[TruelyFedUp]

11:32 AM on 01/20/2012

St. Basil of Caesarea "Who, then, is greedy? The one who does not remain content with self sufficiency. Who is the one who deprives others? The one who hoards what belongs to everyone. Are you not greedy? Are you not one who deprives others? You have received these things for stewardship, and have turned them into your own property! Is not the one who tears off what another is wearing called a clothes-robber? But the one who does not clothe the naked when he was able to do so – what other name does he deserve? The bread that you hold on to belongs to the hungry; the cloak you keep locked in your storeroom belongs to the naked; the shoe that is moldering in your possession belongs to the person with no shoes; the silver that you have buried belongs to the person in need. You do an injury to as many people as you might have helped with all these things!" http://www.incommunion.org/2011/02/20/the-least-of-these/

[peacekitten]

06:53 PM on 01/20/2012

sorry, i'm not going to accept a b| blical quotation as a reason to deprive these people their RIGHT to provide for their BEST FRIEND.

i would remind you that "so as ye do unto the least of mine, so ye do unto me" is NOT exclusive to humans, not should it be.  we are NOT the only species on this planet that matters, we just act like it precisely because most of us ARE greedy and have a false sense of incomprehensible HUBRIS that we have the only lives that are valuable, and refuse to treat the other lives with whom we share this earth with RESPECT.

[Just my two cents]

08:56 AM on 01/21/2012

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion and that should not make anyone ashamed. I for one believe that much more could have been achieved by helping other pets if thats where the persons heart was. My opinion is also that a suffering human life is just as important if not more so than a animals. The article does not state many things such as greedy relatives as in your comment thus leaving you with ASSUMPTIONS and we all know what the first three letters spell and that is my OPINION of your addition of facts to an article.

[peacekitten]

08:47 PM on 01/21/2012

get over yourself. and i hope you don't have any pets. in future, keep your two cents to yourself. it's overpriced.