Pets of Older People (POOPS) began when caring members of the Aged Care Assessment Team at Auburn's St Joseph's Hospital realised the need for a safety net for pets when their elderly owners faced a life-changing crisis.
Often people would have their animal 'put to sleep' rather than suffer the anxiety of not knowing what will happen to it. Age and disability can prevent people from accessing veterinary help when needed.
The hospital began a foster care network for the pets of their elderly patients and formed a partnership with the RSPCA to provide veterinary care. The program now operates across the Sydney metropolitan area and is already extending to regional areas.
POOPS offers:
In-home care which provides ongoing support, help with veterinary treatment, flea treatment, grooming and assistance with pet food and other pet-related expenses if needed.
Foster care services include caring for a pet if an older person needs hospitalisation or palliative care, re-homing of pets if an older person enters an aged care facility, monitoring of pets by RSPCA staff, and treatment of fostered pets by RSPCA vets when required
Depending on the needs of the pet, emergency boarding can be provided at the RSPCA if foster care is not available.
Who is eligible for POOPS?
Anyone 65 years or older who does not have friends or relatives who can help in times of crisis, and palliative care patients of any age.
For more information about POOPS, phone (02) 9770 7555. |
