With age and disability preventing many from being able to fully care for their pets, not-for-profit Pets of Older Persons (POOPS) is stepping in to assist.
The service, which caters specifically for people over 65 and palliative care patients of all ages, includes home visits, animal feeding, dog walking and transport to and from vet clinics or boarding kennels.
South coast co-ordinator Lynne Downing said she was pleased to be part of a vital service.
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READ NOW‘For me, it is knowing that an elderly person does not have to lose their beloved pet if they had to go to hospital for any reason and being able to walk the dogs when their owner can no longer do so,’ she said.
‘Pets are so beneficial to the elderly, providing them with companionship and can help with their wellbeing.’
Hamilton Hill resident Brian Coxe could not be happier. He has Parkinson’s Disease, a heart condition and arthritis, which made it hard to get the required exercise into his husky-cross, Taffy.
‘Before this service came along I thought I was going to have to find a good home for him,’ he said.
‘It’s wonderful knowing he’s now getting the exercise he needs.’
Interested volunteers should email membership@poopswa.org.au or call Lynne on 0433 703 557.