Pets
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Pets can be a great source of companionship and happiness. Unfortunately things like walking a dog can become impractical as a result of physical difficulties or the risk of someone with dementia getting lost or being out when a visiting carer comes. There are also issues of what happens to pets when their owner needs to move into a care or nursing home, or when they pass away. Each of these topics is covered below.
See our section on using a birdfeeder to attract wild birds.
Contact details on a collar
Consider putting your contact details on a cat's or dog's collar, in case it gets lost.
Dog walking and help with pets
If your loved one has visiting carers for their own needs it'll probably be possible to arrange for them to do quick and easy routine things like feed pets and even change litter trays. However, they'll be pressed for time, and also may not know much about pets' needs.
There may be an organisation near you with volunteers who are able to walk dogs for the elderly and help with the care of other kinds of pet. You'll obviously need to check that the organisation is reputable and checks the trustworthiness of its volunteers.
In GB, The Cinnamon Trust is a registered charity with volunteers for this sort of pet care - see The Cinnamon Trust website.
In Northern Ireland, Rosie's Trust is a registered charity with volunteers for this sort of pet care - see the Rosie's Trust website.
When a pet owner goes into a care home
Anxiety over what will happen to their pet often puts people off going into a care home when that's what's needed for their own care, or it stops them getting a new pet at home when one passes away.
Most care homes don't take pets such as cats and dogs, which can seem unfortunate but is understandable, because they obviously have to think of their other residents. Some residents may be afraid of dogs, the pets may respond badly to unfamiliar people or indeed to other pets if there were any, there are hygiene issues, trip hazard issues, and lack of time. However, some care homes do take some pets, so it's worth enquiring if this is a major issue for you. In GB, The Cinnamon Trust website has details of care homes that may take pets.
If a family member can't take the pets, then there are likely to be organisations that can re-home them when the time comes for their owner to move into a care home. These organisations may require or prefer the pet to be registered with them beforehand, and we'd suggest doing this as soon as possible, whilst your loved one is still fine at home. In GB, The Cinnamon Trust website has such a scheme, but requires pre-arrangements to have been made. In Northern Ireland, see the Rosie's Trust website, or The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) website, under pet pledge.
When a pet owner passes away
If a family member can't take the pets, then there are likely to be organisations that can re-home them when their owner passes away. These organisations may require or prefer the pet to be registered with them beforehand, and we'd suggest doing this as soon as possible. In GB, see The Cinnamon Trust website, or the RSPCA website, under what we do - care for animals - home for life, but both require pre-arrangements to have been made. In Northern Ireland, see the Rosie's Trust website, or The Ulster Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (USPCA) website, under pet pledge.