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?" 60yrs+ 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
The campaign
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.
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).
In these pages 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.
Research
You may also be interested in a SCAS research report, Pets and older people in residential care*, which 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.
* Report commissioned by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) and the Pet Food Manufacturers' Association (PFMA).
