WHEN IT comes to downsizing some pet-owners are faced with a difficult decision of having to give up their treasured furry or feathered companion.
With some people unsure about whether they can take their pet when they move into retirement villages and aged care facilities, it can sometimes mean having to surrender their dog or cat to a rescue organisation or hand them over to family.
Victorian Dog Rescue's Trisha Taylor says the majority of animals they take on come from older pet owners moving into retirement villages or aged care.
"I think it is appalling that some people can't take them with them. These pets have been their companions and are often old themselves. One minute they have a family and the next they have terrible separation anxiety," she said.
It's not all bad news however for animal owners.
There is a growing number of aged care providers who do welcome pets into their facilities.
Savannah Lifestyle Resorts in Far North Queensland encourages pet ownership.
"We feel very strongly about this. The benefits of owning a pet are well documented," Savannah Lifestyle Resorts' sales and marketing manager Melody Lucas said.
"Aside from the emotional uplift and companionship which combats loneliness and isolation, it's been found that the interaction with pets can actually lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels, decrease depression and even ease the pain of losing a loved one," she said.
The resort has a 'Living in Harmony' policy outlining pet ownership guidelines to residents and will also help residents build cat runs in their garden. She said walking a dog (or cat!) is also a good incentive to encourage owners to exercise.
Feros Care also encourages pets at its three aged care facilities in Byron Bay, Bangalow and Wommin Bay and can also support clients still in their own home with pet care.
Feros Care CEO Jennene Buckley said the benefits of including pets at an aged care facility outweigh any extra demands created by having a few furry, feathered or scaled friends around.
"Some aged care providers are concerned about what might go wrong having pets. They could be worried about infection control issues, or the potential for residents to trip over an animal. But pets play a vital role in residential care. They bring normality to the day and are a great de-stressor for residents and staff," she said.
Feros Care has already introduced cats, dogs, fish, ducks, guinea pigs, rabbits, quails, budgies and even stick insects to all villages, and has a waiting list of potential residents who would like to bring their pets with them.
"The scheduled visits don't allow the same level of spontaneity as pets living at the village," she said.
"But visiting pets do still play a role even when there are resident pets. We recently had a great mobile farm visit the facility."
Palm Lakes Resorts also encourages pet ownership in many of its retirement villages, with many residents bringing their dogs with them and some locations also including dog parks, with play equipment for their furry friends.
Some Palm Lake Resorts villages that are pet-friendly include Bargara in Queensland, Tweed River in NSW and Truganina in Victoria.