4 March 2010

More elderly people who move into care homes and sheltered housing accommodation should have access to their pets, an MP has said.

Nigel Waterson, the shadow minister for older people, has called for a more "enlightened and responsible" policy for allowing pet owners in residences to keep their beloved animals in his Care Homes and Sheltered Accommodation (Domestic Pets) Bill.

Research by the Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS) has found that older people who have to give up their pet to move into care homes can feel bereaved, depressed, have disturbed sleeping or eating patterns and can become ill.

On Friday 5 March, Mr Waterson will be presenting his private member's bill for its second reading to the House of Commons.

His call is being supported by SCAS, which aims to raise awareness with its Pets for Life campaign, in partnership with The Blue Cross.

SCAS chair Elizabeth Ormerod said there is a "frustrating lack of policy to support older and more vulnerable pet owners".

Around 140,000 pets have to be given up for adoption each year as their owners cannot take them into care accommodation, and 38,000 pets have to be put down as a result, she said.