It is not uncommon for a pet to outlive his mom or dad, and when he does, some might wonder what happens to him. The answer is often sad. If the deceased person does not have any friends or family who are willing or able to take the pet, he will typically wind up in a shelter where he may have difficulty being adopted and could face euthanasia or an extended stay with various foster families. Fortunately, there is another alternative. Retirement homes for pets are a fast-growing platform that offers a wonderful way to provide for a pet’s happiness and care even after you are gone.
How It Works
In order to enroll a pet in a retirement home, pet parents need to pay an enrollment fee to guarantee a spot. These enrollment fees vary depending upon the facility, but they often take the form of endowments to provide for the pet’s future care and feeding. When the pet parent passes away, the pet is delivered to the pet retirement home where he will live out his days in a home-like environment with daily human interaction, special care if needed, and plenty of love and affection. Pet parents choose the retirement facility before they pass away, so they have had a chance to screen the facilities and the care therein.
Quality Care
Pet retirement homes are often run by veterinary schools, veterinary offices, or other animal care experts, which means that they are capable of providing high-quality care for pets of all ages and levels of need. Most facilities strive to create a comfortable environment for pets and may include amenities such as lounge areas, swimming areas, or patios. Staff stays on hand 24 hours a day, should a pet need middle-of-the-night care.
Additionally, some facilities are species-specific and cater only to cats or dogs, while others take all animals and separate them according to age, size, species, and level of care needed. Regardless of breed and species, pets see a groomer on a regular basis and are checked by a vet several times annually. They receive medical and dental care on a scheduled basis and can be treated for pre-existing conditions if needed.
A Slice of Home
Pets are likely to experience a sense of loss when their person passes away and, because of this, pet retirement homes encourage pets to enter the facilities with their favorite comforts, such as food and water dishes, toys, blankets, beds, and even articles of their person’s clothing. The staff at these facilities will go to great lengths to ensure that pets are loved, attended to, cared for, and comforted as they adjust to their new housing. Pets are typically housed in private suites with plenty of social and group time, although animals who prefer group living may be housed together.
Although losing a pet parent is a difficult experience for an animal, pet retirement homes can make the process much more comfortable for the pet in question. Additionally, pet retirement homes offer a sense of security for the pet parent by ensuring that the pet will be adequately cared for and loved for the remainder of its life. Although pre-deceasing a pet is a difficult process, pet retirement homes offer a wonderful pool of love and high-quality care for pets who outlive their owners.
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