• Support SCAS
• Contact us
• SCAS News
• Search

Pets in residential care

One of the most challenging situations facing older people who own pets is when they decide to move into sheltered accommodation or residential care. It is often at this already unsettling time that the issue of pet ownership can become a distressing problem.

While some care homes do recognise the benefits of older people owning pets and as a result accept residents' animals, only 35% of facilities have a formal written policy on pet ownership. This means that pet-keeping rules are often drawn up arbitrarily and applied inconsistently. For example, 'pets allowed' may in fact mean small, caged animals and exclude dogs and cats – the most commonly owned type of pet. Other homes have a blanket 'no pets' policy or possibly worse still, no policy at all. Some may allow pets to visit or have a resident cat or dog. However, although people enjoy these 'communal' pets, they cannot replace the special bond an older person will have with their own pet.

The situation in the UK is stark contrast to that in many other countries. The USA, Spain, Greece, France, Monaco, Norway and Switzerland, among others, have all introduced legislation to ensure that older people have the right to keep or maintain contact with animals, whether they live independently in the community, in sheltered accommodation or in long-term care homes. But our recent survey Pets and Older People in Residential Care,  shows that many older people in the UK still feel they have no choice but to give up a much-loved pet when they move into sheltered accommodation or residential care.

Being forced to give up a pet has detrimental effects for both pet and owner.

• Some pets have to be rehomed to friends or neighbours; some are given to animal shelters; some are sadly euthanased.
• Owners often suffer tremendous guilt and may slip into depression.
• Many veterinary surgeons say their most distressing consultations involve lonely, older people moving house who have been ordered to "get rid" of their animal.

If an older person is able to take their pet with them into care, it can greatly ease the process of relocation, providing a much-needed sense of reassurance and homeliness.

How to find pet-friendly accommodation

The Cinnamon Trust, tel: 01736 757900  a national charity for older people and their pets, has a register of sheltered accommodation and care homes which accept pets. It can also arrange long-term care for pets whose owners have died or moved to accommodation with a 'no-pets' policy.

The Anchor Housing Trust, tel: 020 7759 9100  allows residents to bring their pets into their sheltered housing schemes.

You can obtain a list of other homes permitting pets from the Elderly Accommodation Counsel (EAC), tel: 020 7820 1343.

Top tips

Here are some suggestions of what to bear in mind when starting your search for pet-friendly accommodation.

• Plan ahead – give yourself plenty of time to research your housing and care options. Any accommodation must be right for you, as well as your pet.
• Visit our Useful links for pet owners page and speak to some of the organisations listed. Expert help is out there on all aspects of choosing care, if you know where to look.
• Print out and complete a copy of our Housing provider checklist.  You may find it useful as a basis for discussion when talking to care home managers.
• Talk to several accommodation providers before making any decision.
• Remember that if you are moving into a care home for a short period to recover from illness or injury, then temporary pet care could be the solution.
• If possible, the final choice of accommodation should be made by the person needing care.

For your own peace of mind it is important to make arrangements for any pets you have that may outlive you. If there is no-one you can ask, you may wish to approach The Blue Cross for help. The charity has a well established scheme called Pets into Care which deals with exactly this concern.

Preparing a case for support

Whatever type of pet policy a housing provider may have, their attitudes and expectations about pet ownership are likely to vary depending on the experiences of the manager and staff.

Before visiting a care home it's a good idea to think about your responses to any concerns a housing manager might raise about pet ownership, and also to jot down any questions you might have yourself.

Some housing managers may not be aware of the many benefits associated with pet ownership for older people – so it might be helpful to take along contact details of organisations such as SCAS where they can access this information. You could also direct them to the 'Care professionals' section of this website.

It's also a good idea to ask your local vet to write a letter stating that your pet is well-cared for and in good health, following a veterinary health check - this can be useful supporting information.

Below are a few suggestions of other topics to discuss.

Questions to ask a housing manager

• Is there a written policy on pet ownership?
• What types of pets are allowed/excluded?
• What support can you offer to help me look after my pet?
• Do other residents have pets?
• Are there any 'communal' pets?
• Do you permit other visiting pets, for example, Pets as Therapy (PAT) dogs?
• If I am allowed to bring my pet with me and it subsequently dies, will I be able to adopt another pet?
• If at any stage I need assistance with the day-to-day care of my pet, will staff be able to help me?
• If I'm not able to keep my pet with me, would it be allowed to visit, or could you offer me any assistance with rehoming it?

Issues a housing manager might raise

• Are you currently able to look after your pet?
• What happens to your pet if you become unable to care for it?
• What if your pet becomes ill and requires expensive veterinary treatment?
• We already have a communal pet. Why do you need your own as well?
• Aren't pets a source of disease, allergies and accidents?

For further information and advice on these topics, please refer to our Housing Provider FAQ

Pet-friendly accommodation checklist

Click Housing provider checklist to download a pet-friendly accommodation checklist to take with you when you visit a care home or sheltered accommodation.