Placing Animals With Seniors

[sandgrubber]

Monterey California has an interesting program that provides subsidies for helping senior adopt and care for rescue animals . . .

Opinions?

http://www.co.monterey.ca.us/health/animal...5SeniorPets.pdf

text reprinted below

P.A.W.S.

Placing Animals with Seniors

Imagine living far from friends or family, being less mobile, or being independent but finding you have many lonely hours. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a loving companion who would be there for you?

Pets can bring companionship and a sense of well being to anyone, but they may play an important role in improving the lives of senior citizens.

FoCAS (Friends of Animal County Services) a non-profit organization that supports Monterey County Animal Services offers a program for seniors called P.A.W.S (Placing Animals with Seniors). This program matches pets from the shelter with seniors ages 60 and older, who currently do not own a pet. Under this program, there is no cost for the adoption and FoCAS provides a sizeable yearly reimbursement for veterinary and grooming costs.

Monterey County Animal Services currently has several wonderful animals age 5 or over which would qualify for this program. If you or someone you know can benefit from this program, please contact 831-769-8858 for program information and criteria.

[mita]

Sounds like a great program. There's strong evidence coming from research at U of Q, that dogs bring great health & well-being benefits to the elderly.

I like how this US program follows up with help re vet care & grooming.

[Monah]

Wonderful

I've got rellies in Monterey and it's an allround incredible place to live, fantastic people, landscapes, lifestyle, weather etc. and this program reflects that.

[dogbesotted]

that sounds like a wonderful program

I am a sucker for the older dogs.. have just taken in a 10.5year old maremma..

adult dogs are often quieter and more sedate and make delightful companions to our older citizens

H

[westiemum]

Yep as I mentioned a week or two ago - some elderly friends of mine have just taken on a 12 year old westie who desperately needed a home - and he has made such a difference to their lives

I think retirement villages should allow elderly resdients to have their pets and replace them - and just deal with any problems and complaints... and make sure people moving into these communities know they are 'pet-friendly' at the start so any vexatious complaints can be easily dealt with.