Pets in Aged Care Grants for Victorian Aged Care Providers

Victorian aged care facilities are among the recipients of Animal Welfare League Australia’s 2015 Pets in Aged Care Grants.

The grants, developed to support and maintain the existing bonds between aged care residents and their own pets, will enable small infrastructure upgrades and pay for live-in pet costs such as vet bills, grooming, training, dog walking and feeding.

All of the Victorian recipients welcome and embrace pets. Australian Unity’s Peninsula Grange Aged Care in Mornington will use the grant to fund behaviour training for dog Barney, who is owned by permanent resident Alex.

Peninsula Grange Events Coordinator Katie Turner, said the grant would not only enable Alex and Barney to preserve their close bond, but also set a precedent and process for the smooth integration of other resident-owned pets at the facility.

“The ongoing stimulation, interaction, and emotional wellbeing that Barney generates in Alex’s life are priceless,’’ Ms Turner said.

“The health of Alex and Barney is of the utmost importance to the staff at Peninsula Grange, as is the comfort and happiness of all our residents. So it is critical that we have a process for managing pets such as Barney during his ongoing tenure.’’

AWLA is thrilled to be assisting aged care residents, facilities and their pets through the grants program, and it looks forward to seeing the successful projects rolled out and completed across Australia.

"We are delighted to be supporting the bond between aged care residents and their own pets,’’ AWLA's Interim Executive Officer Stuart Gillies said.

“There is a lot of evidence to show pets make people happier and healthier, so making provision for their pets in aged care accommodation makes good sense.’’

The full national list of recipients, aged care facilities and projects can be viewed here. The website is part of AWLA’s Positive Ageing in the Company of Animals Project, which seeks to identify successful models for keeping aged care residents and their pets together.

Directors of successful pet–friendly aged care facilities have told AWLA that pets contribute to community feeling and encourage friendships between residents. When a resident is strongly bonded to their pet and the live-in pet situation is well managed, the benefits to that resident, other residents and staff should not be underestimated.

AWLA has more than 300 years of combined experience in caring for companion animals and their owners. It is committed to raising awareness of animal welfare issues and participating in the development of codes, policies and programs aimed at maintaining high standards of sustainable animal welfare in Australia.

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