Parliamentary support for rights of older pet owners

A campaign to allow older people to keep their pets when they go into residential care or sheltered housing has been given a welcome boost.

The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), which works in partnership with The Blue Cross, started Pets for Life to highlight the plight suffered by many older people in Britain who are forced to give up their pets.

Now Nigel Waterson MP has presented to the House of Commons the Second Reading of his Private Member’s Bill to increase the number of residential care and sheltered housing providers which allow pets. 

As Shadow Minister for Older People, Mr Waterson said: “The UK needs to adopt a more enlightened and responsible policy towards increasing the number of care homes and sheltered housing accommodation which allow pets in residence.

“The current practice is totally unacceptable in a civilised country and we should follow the example of countries such as France and the USA, who have passed legislation aimed at allowing people to keep their beloved pets.”

In the UK, there is still a lack of formal policy in many residential care and sheltered homes to manage the needs of older and vulnerable people who wish to keep pets.

Currently only 35% of homes in the UK have any formal written policy on pets in place, despite a growing body of research which supports the psychological and physiological benefits of pet ownership.

Elizabeth Ormerod MRCVS, Chairman of SCAS and a practising vet, said: “There is a frustrating lack of policy to support older and more vulnerable pet owners who arguably have the most to gain from owning a pet, yet in many cases are prevented from doing so. 

“A shocking 140,000 pets have to be given up for adoption every year because their owners cannot take their pets with them when they move into care or sheltered housing, and 38,000 animals are euthanased as a result.”

“We are very pleased that this issue is being highlighted in the House of Commons.  We hope that the Second Reading of Mr Waterson’s Private Member’s Bill will encourage more flexible pet policies among public and private housing providers in the UK as many other countries have already successfully addressed this issue.

“The number of older people in Britain is increasing and it is vital that we ensure the often difficult transition into residential care is as painless as possible.”