If you’re an animal lover and have furry four-legged friends (or any other kind!), the prospect of moving to a living community may elicit some anxiety. While most for-profit senior living communities allow pets, it can be more challenging to find the right fit for your pet when considering a move. Unless you take careful precautions, an action can stress your pet, especially when unfamiliar with their new living environment. Here are some ways to ease the transition for you and your cherished pets when moving into an elder residential community.
Finding a Pet-Friendly Living Community
The keys to finding a pet-friendly place are knowing how to find ones that welcome pets and knowing the questions to ask before agreeing to move in. Most pets at senior living communities are dogs and cats, but there are also birds, ferrets, guinea pigs, and the occasional rabbit. (There is often a weight limit for dogs, but it can be negotiated at some places.
What to Look for In a Pet-Friendly Living Community
there are some key issues you need to look for when looking for a pet-friendly living community. The ideal domicile should have safe grounds for you to be able to walk your pet if need be. This is important for the pet’s health and your own since it is a form of exercise. The premises should also be well lit, and there should be an availability of team members who can help in taking care of pets. This includes helping you find the right pet food and organizing visits to the vet. Some living communities have concierge services that offer all these services.
When looking for a living community, you should also factor in your pet type and whether it would be allowed in the community. In many communities, snakes may not be allowed as pets, especially if they are venomous. This is usually in the interest of the health and well-being of other community guests. If you have a snake as a pet, you should mention this before considering moving into a particular community, lest you find yourself unable to move in with the pet.
Pet-Related Community Guidelines
Some living communities that allow you to have pets have guidelines on this. The size of the pet, the veterinary services required, and the living community may regulate the space necessary for the health and well-being of pets. Find this out before moving in.
Some living communities also charge a fee for having specific pets. Find out how much this is and what the price entails. In some living communities, this fee provides benefits such as veterinary services and pet-oriented housekeeping. Some of these fees vary depending on your pet type and the pet-related services you may need.
