When someone moves into an aged-care facility, it’s not just a change of address. It’s a shift in life rhythm. Imagine your morning brew, your favourite photo on the mantel… and your pet, that loyal, warm bundle of connection that hasn’t just sat by you, but sat with you.
And yet, according to recent data, the vast majority of aged-care homes in Australia aren’t letting residents bring their pets with them. Around 18 % of residential aged-care facilities say they allow companion animals. agedcareonline.com.au Meanwhile, about 96 % of Australians believe people should be able to take their pets with them into aged care. petnews.com.au
This isn’t just about dogs or cats. It’s about dignity. It’s about emotional health. It’s about the enduring truth that pets deserve better, the people who love them deserve better, and the planet deserves better — my mantra, and one that’s particularly relevant here.
Photo: Image captured at my mum's aged care facility 2025.
Why bringing pets matters
Let’s be clear: pets aren’t just cute extras. For older adults, especially those entering full-time care, their animal companion can be a lifeline.
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Pets ease the transition. Moving into aged care can feel like giving up a piece of your story. If you can hold on to your dog, cat, bird, you’re holding on to a piece of you.
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Pets combat loneliness and boost mood. Some studies show older adults with pets have fewer GP visits and better subjective well-being. Hellocare
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Pets maintain a sense of independence. You still care, you still show up, you still matter.
So when a facility bans pets by default, it’s not just restricting an animal. It’s restricting connection. It’s restricting routine. It’s restricting the very thing that might make a stay more liveable.
What’s getting in the way?
There are very real hurdles. None of them are insurmountable — but many homes haven’t made the leap yet.
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Facilities worry about allergies, hygiene, risk, space.
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Some owners are too frail to maintain pet care (but with tailored support, this can be managed).
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Funding and policy gaps: only a tiny fraction of home-care packages support pet-care needs, even when clients want it. thirdsector.com.au
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Institutional inertia: systems are built for human residents — not necessarily human + animal teams.
But we’ve seen models that work. With thoughtful design and policy, aged-care homes can become pet-inclusive without compromising safety or quality.
What needs to happen
Here’s how we bring change — with intention, heart and practicality.
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Policy change – Providers and government need clear guidelines and incentives for pet-inclusive care.
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Facility design – Dedicated pet zones, safe flooring, accessible outdoor run/walk areas, staff trained in animal care support.
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Owner-support services – Helping older adults with pet-walking, vet visits, hygiene (if mobility is an issue) so that pets don’t become a burden.
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Cultural shift – Recognise that pets are part of the person’s identity, not just “furry additions”.
At the core: inclusion. We don’t want every home to allow a Great Dane and a flock of geese. But we do want every older person to have a fair shot at staying with their companion if they so wish.
Why this matters to us all
If you love pets (and if you’re reading this, chances are you do), then you know the bond they bring. The wagging tail. The rhythmic purr. The silent comfort. We spend our lives arguing that pets deserve better — at home, in grooming, in hygiene, in sustainable products (yes—hello Rufus & Coco). But what about that bond in later life? What about when a person we love moves into care?
By enabling older adults to stay with their pets, we’re saying: your story continues. Your companion doesn’t become “a different life.” Your environment stays richer. And your pet stays loved.
Final thoughts
Change doesn’t happen just because it’s the “right” thing. It happens when we demand it, design for it, fund it, care for it. So let’s say it loud: older people + their pets deserve better. Facilities can adapt. Policies can evolve. We can make this standard, not the exception.
Because at the end of the day, it’s not just about aged care. It’s about care that honours the whole person — and their whole world.
Pets deserve better. The people who love them deserve better. The planet deserves better.
— Anneke