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Housing Provider FAQ

Q. We have allowed pets in the past at the discretion of the manager. Why do we need a written policy?

A. A lack of formal pet policy suggests a lack of understanding of the importance of the bond between older people and their pets. Rather than offering flexibility, the absence of a policy tends to lead to informal decision-making largely determined by particular members of staff, which are fragile, impermanent, and vulnerable to change or reversal if a staffing change occurs.

Informal policies are also invisible to potential clients, their families and health professionals, who can all experience great difficulty in obtaining information about which homes permit which types of pets.

 

Q. I'm worried about health and safety – aren't animals a source of disease, allergies and accidents?

A. Pets are often seen as potential causes of trips, bites and scratches. Although the recent SCAS/PFMA study received no reports of such injuries in the care homes surveyed, it is a good idea when drawing up a pet policy to include guidelines about pets in communal areas (eg restricted access for dogs on stairways and corridors unless supervised).

Control of internal/external parasites can easily be achieved through regular worming and flea/tick treatments as advised by a vet. It need not be difficult, time-consuming or expensive. Free, comprehensive pet health information for dogs, cats and small pets can be found at www.allaboutpets.org and at the Pet Health Council

Other health concerns include allergies to pet dander, eg for sufferers of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Whilst care must be taken to safeguard asthma sufferers, it is nevertheless possible for successful management  of both the problem and pet ownership.  Scroll down for further information on allergies and pet ownership. 

Some housing providers in the SCAS/PFMA study expressed concerns about the transmission of MRSA and C.Difficile from pets to humans. These are bacterial infections that principally affect humans, in which a carrier state can exist. At the time of the study, there appeared to be no reported cases of C.Difficile in animals. MRSA has been found on only a few individual animals, and none living in care homes. In addition, the transmission in each case appeared to be from human to animal. A recent survey of 51 Therapet dogs for the presence of MRSA, conducted on behalf of Canine Concern Scotland Trust in February 2007, found that that, although working in a challenging environment in which the risk(s) of acquiring MRSA is greater than normal, all 51 Therapets were clear of MRSA at the time of testing. Good pet management and screening – animals can be routinely tested for MRSA – can minimise any potential risk.

 

Q. Why should we allow personal pets – isn't a 'communal' animal enough?

A. Communal or visiting pets may be enjoyed, but they are not the same as the one-to-one relationship with a much-loved personal pet. A personal pet has a special bond with its owner; it is often the repository for memories of a deceased spouse, family ties, and a previous lifestyle. If an older person is able to take their pet with them into a care home, it can greatly ease the shock of relocation, providing a much-needed sense of reassurance and homeliness. As one care home resident commented in the SCAS/PFMA Pets in residential care study: "Pets are part of me, my husband and my former life. Having my dog with me cushioned the blow of having to move. It made things a bit more normal for me."

 

Q. How can we decide if someone's pet is suitable to live in our care facility?

A. Any pet under consideration for entry to a care facility with its owner should be assessed for health and temperament. This should involve consultations with veterinary surgeons and possibly animal behaviourists, to ensure that any pet entering a care facility is of sound temperament and has no unmanageable health problems. 

 

Q. We allow small pets like hamsters or goldfish but not cats or dogs, isn't that OK?

A. 43% of the population shares their homes with a pet and the vast majority of these are cats and dogs. So by excluding these pets from your facility you may be forcing older people to give up their much loved companions and miss out on all the benefits they bring.

 

Q. How do you introduce a new pet into a facility that already has existing pets?

A. In practice, this has rarely been a problem according to reports from both the Rowntree and SCAS/PFMA studies. Many older people have older pets, accustomed to living with older people, and who are unlikely to present behavioural problems.

As well as questioning potential residents about their pet's temperament towards other people and animals, it's a good idea to agree a 'trial period'. On arrival, the new pet should be kept in the owner's room to settle in, before introducing it gradually to other resident pets. Further information on introducing your dog or cat to other animals can be found AllAboutPets.  

Q. Whose responsibility is it to maintain a pet's health and to exercise it? Aren't pets just a lot of work?

A. The owner should be responsible for the care of their pet. However, it should be recognised that support from care staff may be required. Dates of worming, flea treatments, vaccinations and health checks should be recorded to ensure these are carried out at the appropriate times. Staff should also support owers in the care of the pet, where necessary, in feeding and exercise routines. The Cinnamon Trust  has a national network of volunteers who may be able to provide practical help when any aspect of day to day pet care poses a problem – for example, walking the dog for a housebound owner.For pet care advice, please visit AllAboutPets.

 

Q. What if the pet becomes ill and requires expensive veterinary treatment?

A. Owners should demonstrate that they are able to meet costs of any veterinary care required and pet insurance is highly recommended. The pets of older people on state pension may be eligible for treatment or vet care grants provided by animal charities such as The Blue Cross 

 

Q. What if the owner dies or become too ill to care for their pet?

A. It is recommended that prior to entry, the owner states their wishes and outlines what provision will be made for their pet should they (the owner) become unable to care for it. In practice, many pets in care facilities are 'adopted' by another person in the same care facility who has helped care for the pet. In other instances, the care of the pet is absorbed by the home/care facility since pets are often a source of pleasure for other residents. If this is not practical, charities like The Blue Cross run schemes where, by prior arrangement, they will take in the pet and find it a loving new home.  Visit Pets into Care for further details of the Blue Cross 'Pets into Care' initiative.

 

Q.What if the pet dies and the owner wants to replace it?

A. Having a pet is an important lifestyle choice and a part of an older person's identity in the same way as it is with younger people and families. If the person wants to replace their pet then they should be given suitable advice and support in doing this. Many charities offer advice on suitable pet selection for older people and may recommend adopting an older pet that may be quieter, less demanding and better behaved. Click Useful links for pet owners for a list of charities that may be able to help.

 

Q. How can we help older pet owners cope with the loss of their pet (either if the pet cannot be accommodated in the care home, or if the pet dies)?

A. The loss of a pet, whether through enforced separation or death, can provoke reactions similar to those associated with a human bereavement. Reaction to pet loss can be severe enough to lead to depression, disturbances to patterns of eating and sleeping, and the onset of physical illness.

The recently published SCAS/PFMA report, Pets and Older people in Residential Care, showed that nearly 40% of older people parted from their pets show noticeable symptoms of distress. In reality the figure may be even higher since many older people do not disclose their feelings about the loss of a companion animal, nor dostaff always investigate the underlying causes of distress, depression or inability to adjust to new surroundings.

Support is available for anyone who has lost a pet, or is about to part with a pet, through the Pet Bereavement Support Service (PBSS), run by The Blue Cross in conjunction with The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS).

This is a free confidential telephone, email and letter service that offers emotional support to pet owners through a national network of trained volunteer befrienders. The support line, tel. 0800 096 6606, is open seven days a week 8:30am - 8:30pm. Alternatively you can email pbssmail@bluecross.org.uk or write to PBSS, c/o The Blue Cross, Shilton Road, Burford Oxon OX18 4PF. Further information can be found in the section Coping with pet loss 

 

Q. Won't we be overrun with animals if we allow one person to bring their pet?

A. Current statistics suggest that less than one in four people own pets. Not all will wish to take their pet into care with them, and many will have friends or family who will adopt their pet. The Rowntree and SCAS/PFMA studies suggest that less than 25% of older pet owners will wish to take their pets into care facilities. 

 

Q.What if not all residents like pets?

A. Most care home residents who took part in the recent study were willing to have pets in the residence where they lived, even if they did not personally wish to own them, providing the pets did not cause a nuisance. They also thought that people should be able to decide for themselves if they wanted a pet, and should be permitted to do so providing they were capable of looking after it. They did, however, think that residents and staff should be consulted. Increasingly, care homes seem to be introducing Residents' Committees to allow debate on policies affecting the people within the care facility. However, it is still preferable to have a formal pet policy with clear guidelines for new and existing residents.

 

Q.How do I draw up a pet policy?

A.Click here for information and advice on Drawing up a pet policy 

 

Q.What other options are available for people if we can't take in their pet?

A. Some people will be able to ask a friend or family member to adopt their pet but if this is not possible, it's important they realise that there are other options apart from having it put to sleep. There are many animal charities that will find loving new homes for animals with nowhere else to go, such as The Blue Cross

Allergies and pet ownership

Most people live happily with pets without any problems. However, even those people who suffer from allergies or asthma can live with pets as long as the allergens are kept within tolerance thresholds. The following basic management advice can reduce allergic symptoms by up to 95%:

• Making sure the pet is brushed daily outside.
• Weekly bathing of the pet.
• Application of grooming products to minimise dander.
• Checking the pet's diet as simple dietary changes can reduce hair loss.
• Reducing the pet's access to living areas and prohibiting it from the sufferer's bedroom.
• Moving any litter trays and pet beds away from any areas of air filtration vents and air conditioning.
• Avoiding kissing and hugging the pet, and ensuing hands are washed after touching the pet.

Source: Platt-Mills, 2002

For more sensitive allergies, more intensive methods can be employed to still avoid allergic reaction:

• Removing furnishings and objects that harbour allergens by replacing carpets and upholstered furniture with hard flooring and leather/PVC type covered furniture; changing fabric curtains for solid blinds. This is especially important in bedrooms and living areas.
• Opening windows for one hour a day is highly effective for removing cat allergen.
• Avoiding woollen clothes which harbour up to ten times more allergens than many close woven cotton or synthetic fabrics.
• Vacuuming thoroughly and using an air filter.
• Using zippered plastic covers for mattresses and cushions.

Source: University of Virginia

Further reading

McNicholas, J., Gilbey, A., Rennie, A., Ahmedzai, S., Dono, J., Omerod, E. (2005). Pet ownership and human health: a brief review of evidence and issues. British Medical Journal, No. 7527, 1252-1254.

Platts-Mills, T. A. Paradoxical effect of domestic animals on asthma and allergic sensitization. Journal of the American Medical Association, 2002:288:1012-1014.