BBC TV Features Fremantle Home In Pet Friendly Homes Feature

On Tuesday 3 November the Society for Companion Animals, based with the Blue Cross in Burford, held a one day conference in London to highlight the benefit of people being allowed to take their pets into care homes with them and encourage more homes to consider allowing this. According to SCAS two thirds of care homes do not allow pets. BBC Oxford was covering the conference and needed a care home to feature on the 6.30pm regional news. They approached The Fremantle Trust as all of its 15 older people’s care homes are listed as ‘pet friendly’.

One resident at Carey Lodge in Wing has her dog with her, at present she is staying on respite but the hope is she will be able to move in long term when funding is agreed. Mrs Marion Jacks, and her dog Polly, agreed to be filmed for the feature which wanted to draw attention to the benefits of allowing pets to stay with their owners when they move to a care home. “When someone moves from their own home into a care home, even when it is their own decision and not forced upon them by a crisis, it is a wrench. They have to leave behind a house or flat they may have lived in for years and years, and a majority of their possessions. They have to endure the stress of a move, which is traumatic at any time of life. Being able to keep a much loved pet with them really helps them to settle and adjust to their new life much more quickly – as a fridge magnet at my house says “Home is where your cat is”, said Carole Sawyers, Fremantle’s Chief Executive.

Research has shown that, in general, people who have pets live longer than those who don’t and another study showed that people recovered faster from illness and surgery if they had pets. Pets give people a sense of purpose and an opportunity to nurture. Plus there is always a topic of conversation when an animal is around and it creates interest for all the other residents.

“As long as the other residents do not mind, the home can accommodate the pet (a St Bernard would be a problem!) and measures can be put in place for the pet to be adequately looked after (have its needs met!) – all of our homes will always consider accepting pets with their owners. The need for their pet is assessed like any other need and if we can meet it we will offer a place because we understand and believe in beneficial effects for that resident,” said Carole.

For more information please contact:
Claire Gajeckyj, Marketing Manager on 01296 737366
Woodley House, 64-65 Rabans Close, Aylesbury, Bucks, HP19 8RS
email: claire.gajeckyj@fremantletrust.org