Pets in care homes

Hello people. Once again we're looking for some information. The Blue Cross is about to launch a campaign called Pets for Life, which focusses on pet owners who have gone into care and sadly have had to give up their pets. Living with other people so closely does mean compromises but pets give such comfort and happiness. What do you think about this? Share your thoughts. It's an increasingly important topic, especially with our aging population.

If you're interested and have a relevant story about pets and care homes then please send an email to: press@bluecross.org.uk with the subject "Pets for Life"  

Also take part in our homepage poll: Should people be allowed to keep pets in care homes?

Many thanks

On the poll, its been getting votes that no, pets should not be allowed in care homes - and I was wondering why people think this?

Perhaps people think that if everyone in a care home had a pet it might become unmanageable for the staff and uncomfortable for those residents who might not appreciate animals in their living space?

Did anyone see BBC Breakfast this morning? They were talking about this very issue.

I think it would b good for care homes to have pets my dog skip taught my children much that has become useful in their lives.

i think its a lovely idea but you have bear in mind the care staff. I work in care and its a hard enough job as it is and to have to look after animals aswell could be too much for some!! i would love it but is it really practical?? we bearly have enough time to have a quick chat with the residents let alone take care of there pets too!! its sad to say but some are in a CARE HOME'S due to not being able to look after themself's or a pet so no matter how long they have had it is just not fair to both the resident and the animal! i have worked in nursing home's that have pets and i must say it give's all the residents something to lok forward to and i once read a story about a lady in a care home that had no interaction for 3 years untill a lady brought an ecclectus parrot to the home and the resident came out and started looking after the bird and they became good friends and inthe end  the bird lived in her room with her and was her responsability!! it was such a moving story i had tears when reading it! in my opinion if they are small pets such as cats, small dogs, birds ect and the resident is FULLY capable to take care of the pet then yes they should be aloud to keep them with them in the home its hard enough to move in to a care home and maybe that would make it just that bit easier!! they could maybe higher staff simply for the perpose of the animal care?? it would make more jobs and get more people off the dole!!

so yes im all for it!!

love petting Zoo

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I think it is highly irresponsible of the Blue Cross to be campaining for this. I thought they wanted to promote animal welfare. I work in a care home and it would be completley impractical for the residents to bring their pets. Most people come into care because they need help to take care of themselves, how are they supposed to walk a dog or change a cats litter tray, the staff certainly don't have time to do that and as for employing more staff to take care of them, surly the money would be better spent on the residents and their welfare. I am an animal lover myself and dote on  my pets but i realise that one day i won't be able to look after them anymore myself and when that day comes i will ensure they go to another home where they will be cared for properly. I certainly won't be so selfish as to insist on keeping them because it makes me happier even though i can't give them everything they need. Also, the other residents feelings need to be taken into consideration. Not everyone likes animals, some people are scared of dogs or allergic to dogs and cats. Of course it is always sad when parting with an animal but most people are sensible and mature enough to realise that sometimes sacrifices have to be made to ensure the welfare and comfort of their pets. It concerns me greatly that an organisation such as the Blue Cross can be so short sighted as to not see the welfare implications of this.

Blue cross is not the first nor the only campaigners. A charity in Hayle has lists of care homes and retirement homes that are pet friendly. I was thinking on this topic this afternoon as my boy came running up to me on our walk - such love on his face - what price to be loved and to have a being to love. As to 'care homes' - I too worked in one briefly - and no way will I ever allow myself to be in one - based on what I witnessed. No I dont think extra staff should be employed to care for the animals - the other side of it perhaps - a local cat rescue was caled into an establishment because of strays - which the residents loved. They took the cats away and neutered or spayed them, and innoculated. The cats were returned to the home. vet bills are covered by the charity as is transportation (which is provided), and the cat rescue provides food too. The elderly residents are happy, as are the cats, and the staff who had been consulted every step of the way after social services asked for help.

I took in one of the dogs of a lady with cancer - she said she wanted her animals gone before she came out of hospital - she never did come out, and I think its partly because the animals were gone - whilst they were with her, she had to fight the disease on their behalf as well as for herself. Of course she would have died in the end anyway - we all do. If a pet brings comfort - no its wrong to deprive pet and owner of each other. As for walking dogs - there are charities already providing this service - I have met walkers out.

There are other options for people who need care and still want to keep their animals. Care in the community is ideal for this. You remain in your own home and pay for a carer to come to you as many times in the day as required. By doing this you can keep your animals without inconveniencing any one else and pay for someone to come and walk them etc. As a  pet owner you are resposible for doing the best you can by your pet, that includes finding it a loving, caring home with someone who can afford to and has the time to look after it properly when you no longer can. Taking it into a care home with you and allowing a charity to put up the money for feeding, worming and vaccinating it when that money can be used on animals that have no one else and are in need of homes is selfish. As for depriving a pet of that special bond with you, they get over that and bond with a new owner extremely quickly.

Our local cat rescue often traps ferals and spays them. It is better for their health and safety, and prevents further litters. If there are people local willing to put out food and keep an eye open it is often the best thing for them. Kittens are rehomed, but often adults are not suitable for sitting on laps in front of the fire and being cuddled - the only alternative to this 'care in the community' would be to euthanise them. My GP has placed a cat in a care home, he said it has made a great improvement to the residents lives - they love having it there, and he keeps an eye on it too. It seems thet the pets most often deemed suitable are fish - which are relaxing, and I know a local aquatic store placed and more importantly maintaines a tropical tank at a nearby hospital in a large room used for patients waiting for beds or to be discharged. If it relieves bordom and stress, surely it can only be for the good. My sister, a nurse, set up a goldfish tank on the childrens ward for the same reason. Maybe it should be a question of which are the least unsuitable balanced with with which are the most positive. Taking my own dog into a daycare center to visit my father, I was accosted (for want of a better word) by people who no longer had pets, but who wanted to talk to us about those they had had as companions. In a group including stroke patients, conversation for them is difficult, and anything that encourages that and memory is to be encouraged.

The care in the community is for people, not animals. It enables the person to remain living in their own own and have a carer visit them through the day which is why it enables them to keep their pets.

I agree that animals are very good for people in care homes and hospitals which is why I fully support the pat dog scheme and six of my dogs are registered to do this. I also think fish tanks would be a good addition to homes. I keep tropical fish myself and find myself watching them far more than i do the tv! I am in the process of purchasing fish tanks for my residential home also. At present i have put one in two out of the four lounges, one in each of the dining rooms and one in the conservertory. What I don't agree with is residents dogs and cats being taken into care homes to live as it is unfair to them, dogs especially. At my care home we have 2 cats that are centre cats (one of which was a stray that adopted us) but the residents aren't allowed to bring in their own animals. This way it helps keep the number of animals at the home under control and I no they are well cared for and wormed and vaccinated up to date and they will always get veterinary treatment as they are treated as my own are and are my responsibility. All the residents were questioned about the introduction of the cats and all agreed. Most people looking around with a view to come to the home don't mind either but a few people have decided not to come to us due to not liking or being allergic to cats. Luckily I always have a long waiting list for rooms but if this wasn't the case I would have to rethink the cats future with us. My dogs that have being pat tested also visit a couple of times a week which the residents love but they have also commented that it is nicer to have dogs visit regularly as opposed to owning them and worrying about walking them and the responsibility of paying for  them.