We may be a nation of pet lovers, but national data shows many people are being forced to surrender their pet when entering aged care.
An Animal Welfare League study found that while 64% of Australian households are pet owners, only 18% of residential aged care facilities allow pets to reside with their owners.
But Opal Aged Care, located in Bathurst, Orange, Dubbo and Mudgee, NSW say resident-owed pets are allowed on site even though there are none currently there.
Opal’s Dubbo general manager Margaret Irish says we do have bird aviaries and fish at some of our homes and staff are assessing the suitability of two dogs that a potential resident wants to bring to live with him.
Ms Irish says, “We believe that pets could bring enormous benefits to the community like helping motivate and encourage the elderly to stay healthy and exercise and they offer companionship.”
The Opal homes already have regular visitors with chooks, dogs, cats, kangaroos and alpacas bringing a tremendous amount of joy to the residents.
