Older Pets and Older People
The elderly and pets…
These are a list of charities who help the elderly and their pets, either through helping with pet care or finding the elderly pets for them.
UK
Cinnamon Trust
The Cinnamon Trust’s main objective is “to respect and preserve the treasured relationship between owners and their pets”. So it works with elderly owners and the terminally ill to overcome difficulties, with day to day pet care (e.g. at home), temporary pet care (e.g. if you have to go into hospital), and life long pet care. It also has two sanctuaries, one in Devon and one in Cornwall. These are warm, free-roaming environment with cosy sofas, home-cooked meals, and TVs playing quietly in the background. This is for those over 65 and the terminally ill. And they've partnered up with TrustedCare who have a list of homes and support for people needing residential care, too, so if you're looking for a pet-friendly care home, contact TrustedCare
The Oldies work with animal rescues to raise awareness of the plight of their oldies looking for homes - and they list older dogs from many UK rescues. They rescue and rehome Oldies Club dogs through their own network of foster homes (they are always looking for fosterers and transport volunteers) - please take a look and see if you can help.
Society for Companion Animal Studies
The charity has lots of information about the bond between people and animals, and also information about pets and housing. In particular, you could take a look at their Pets and Housing section which has things to think about it if you need to move into care - you'll need to click here and then scroll down the page to find the information on the elderly moving in to care homes.
A number of pet charities also offer Guardian programmes, so that if anything should happen to you, your pet will be taken care of. Examples include Cats Protection and the Dogs Trust.
Minidonks
Minidonks (Norfolk, Suffolk, East Cambridgeshire and North Essex) bring their friendly, gentle miniature donkeys to your community group, voluntary organisation, dementia group or special needs group. Find out more here.
US
Pets for the Elderly
This organisation makes a difference in the lives of both seniors (60 and over) and shelter animals. Its mission is "to provide companionship to senior individuals through pet ownership, while saving the lives of companion animals in shelters". These animals which might otherwise be destroyed. To date, it works with 60 shelters in 35 states. In addition to funding for pet adoptions, "the Pets for the Elderly program also includes financial support for veterinary services, retention assistance, food shortage support, and other services for adopters age 60 or over at select shelters."
Paws for Seniors, Virginia
"Paws For Seniors brings people and senior pets togehter". It rescues and rehabilitates companion pets, predominately senior cats and dogs, to give them the best rest of their lives! It believes that the key to keeping our aging society young at heart is pet companionship and they rehome dogs and cats to families with a primary focus on matching senior pets to senior humans. They are based in Virginia and have volunteers and fosters.
PAWS/LA's PACE Programme, California
The programme exists to help low-income seniors enrich their quality of live by giving help with the care of their companion animal. Their P.A.C.E. Program helps low-income seniors (65 plus and residing in Los Angeles county) enrich their quality of life by providing assistance with the care of their companion animal.