Event promotes pets for companionship

An event this week is to raise awareness of older people moving into sheltered housing or residential care and being forced to give up their pets.

It will be held on 3 November in London by The Society for Companion Animal Studies (SCAS), as part of the charity's 30th anniversary celebration. Called The Older People, Pets and Housing symposium, it will open up debate among providers of establishments for older people concerning the keeping of pets and dispel some of the common misconceptions surrounding this.

Current research shows the psychological and physiological benefits of pet ownership for older people. Nevertheless, only a small number of homes (30 per cent) have formal policies in place to support this.

Elizabeth Ormerod, SCAS chair and a practising vet, said: "For the past 30 years, SCAS has worked to raise awareness of the important bond between people and their pets.

"While much has been achieved in this time, there is still 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.

"As the number of older people in Britain continues to grow, it is more important than ever that we ensure the often-difficult transition into residential care is as painless as possible."

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