Welcome to Pets for Life - Keeping people and pets together
"So distressing when no one needs you; but my dog could not survive without me; he needs me." Care home resident
"People who go into care may have lost their partner, their health, a lot of their possessions, in fact most of their way of life. Why should they have to lose a pet as well?" Pets for Life focus group participant
"My life would be meaningless without my dog. My whole life goes round him – feeding him, walking him, playing with him. What would I do if he wasn't there?"60+ pet owner
"It cannot be right for older people to be forced to choose between ensuring that they can keep their pets…and the desire to move into more appropriate sheltered or residential accommodation." Paul Burstow MP
"A growing body of research evidence as well as practical experience have highlighted the great importance of companion animals to our health, general well-being and quality of life." Professor Sam H. Ahmedzai, Chair of Palliative Medicine, University of Sheffield
Pets for Life
For many older people, a much-loved pet is a member of the family – and sometimes the only one left. Owning an animal offers companionship, security, a reason to get out and about and remain independent. What's more, research has proved that pets boost our health and sense of well-being.
A SCAS research report, Pets and older people in residential care*, shows that many older people feel they have no choice but to give up their four-legged friends just when they need them most – when they are moving into residential care.
These Pets for Life pages have been put together by three organisations that are dedicated to promoting the benefits of the human-animal bond: the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), The Blue Cross and the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA).
Their aim is to encourage care home providers to allow older people in residential care to benefit from the companionship of pets and the proven health benefits that they bring.
Here you will find information and advice for older pet owners worried about being parted from their animals, and for professionals working within the elderly health and social care sector.
Recent activity
In July 2009 the Pets for Life Campaign was brought before the House of Commons as part of a Ten Minute Rule Bill, led by Dr Nick Palmer MP. The Bill proposed that residential care homes and sheltered accommodation should implement responsible pet policies to ensure that current and prospective residents were able to make informed choices about pet ownership. The Bill was well received and with support from SCAS, Dr Palmer is continuing to raise awareness among his peers and colleagues. Click here to view the full transcript of the rule bill.
Furthermore, a recent SCAS symposium focused on older people, pets and housing. Read the Symposium Review online.
The event brought together thought leaders, researchers and practitioners in the field to further explore the issues surrounding older people, their pets and the impact on housing and care choices. Attending the event were representatives from housing and local authority organisations as well as practioners within animal welfare and human healthcare services.
For further information about activity around the time of the event, please refer to our Press releases page. You can also learn more about the campaign through the links on the left of this page and help us keep people and pets together – for life.
If you would like to comment on this initiative or share your own experience, please email info@SCAS.org.uk us or visit The Blue Cross 'All About Pets' pages at AllAboutPets
* Report commissioned by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) and the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA).