Elderly people denied their pets in Care Homes

Over a third of residential care homes will see signs of distress in their
elderly residents over the festive season after having to give up a beloved
pet, it was revealed today.

An in-depth study of 234 UK nursing homes and sheltered housing units,
published by the Society for Companion Animal Studies, has revealed that the
vast majority of care facilities do not allow pets, despite a growing body
of evidence showing their importance to senior citizens.

The report states that while a quarter of all people over retirement age are
thought to own a pet, only 29% of care facilities routinely allow them. The
importance of pet ownership seems to be largely ignored with less than a
quarter of facilities asking potential residents whether they have a pet and
only a third having any formal policy about pets.

Elderly people who are forced to part with a pet can suffer feelings of
bereavement that are similar to the loss of a family member. Severe
reactions can lead to depression, disturbed sleep or eating patterns, and
even physical illness.

However, animal charity The Blue Cross is working with SCAS and the Pet Food
Manufacturers' Association, which funded the research, to raise awareness of
the problem and encourage more care homes to develop pet policies.

Elizabeth Ormerod, Chairman of the Society for Companion Animal Studies and
a practising vet said: "The importance of pets to older people cannot be
understated; for some they are their best friend, their family and their
only lifeline to the outside world. When age or ill health forces someone
to move into care, why should they be parted from a loyal companion who
offers them unconditional love and support, comfort and constancy?"

She continued: "I believe that people of all ages should have the right to
benefit from animal companionship, as long as this is managed responsibly.
So we're encouraging all housing and residential care providers to develop
clear and carefully considered pet policies."

Brenda Eustace, in London, is a 67-year-old dog owner who suffers from
mobility problems which makes life in her basement flat increasingly
difficult. With no immediate family, she relies on friends and invalidity
support to get by and has applied to move into sheltered housing. But dogs
are not allowed and moving home without her Yorkshire Terrier, Cassidy, is
unthinkable. She would rather stay where she is even though she is very
vulnerable.

Brenda Eustace said: "I've been through some very difficult times and
Cassidy has been the one thing that gets me up in the morning. He's always
been there for me so I owe it to him to do the same. He's such a friendly
little dog and everybody loves him, I just can't understand why he isn't
allowed into sheltered housing. As an older person of limited means, all I
have left is freedom of speech and freedom of choice and I'm not giving
Cassidy up."

For more information visit www.scas.org.uk/petsforlife
<http://www.scas.org.uk/petsforlife>