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Home Alert Card Launched

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Having heard this week of an elderly lady taken into hospital at short notice and then being sent home to find that her dog an elderly Corgi was missing and nobody new where it had gone we decided we had to do something about this problem.

The PDSA have launched a card scheme to alert people to the fact that there is a dog at home if they are involved in an accident.

The PDSA emergency card allows owners to nominate a friend or relative who can be contacted to deal with their pets in case an accident prevents them from returning home.

If you are having problems finding someone to look after your pet whilst you are in hospital contact us and we will try and help you.
email Geoff.pardy@btopenworld.com
Telephone Val: 01923 255740

Do Not Leave Home Without A PDSA Emergency Card
Ever wondered what would happen to your pet if something happened to you? With one in three homes single occupancy, this is becoming a real issue for pet owners. So to help, leading veterinary charity, PDSA, has launched an 'emergency card', designed to alert people that there's a hungry hound or a thirsty kitty waiting at home.

Carrying the PDSA emergency card in your purse or wallet means a nominated friend or neighbour can easily be contacted if an accident happens preventing you from returning home to your four-legged friend.

Speaking of the peace of mind the card will bring to thousands of pet owners, PDSA spokesperson, Tina Norton-Tuck, says, "Pets are very much part of the family. But for people who live alone there is a worry of what will happen to their pets if, for example, they ended up in hospital overnight following an accident or injury while away from home.

"After 90 years of caring for pets, PDSA knows just how important pets are to their owners. Carrying the PDSA emergency card is a great way of putting minds at ease."

Deciding what will happen to your pets if the worse did happen is also something PDSA can help with. Research has revealed that 82% of pet owners haven't made a provision for the ongoing care of their pet in their will.

PDSA's Safe Hands rehoming service will look after your pet's future if a gift in your will is left to the charity. With the Safe Hands service PDSA will take steps to find a loving and suitable new home for your pet.

"Including a gift in your will to PDSA is a wonderful way of giving something back to the animals that have meant so much to you," says Tina. "Your gift could also save the lives of many sick or injured pets in the future."

To request a free PDSA emergency card, please email legacies@pdsa.org.uk. To find out more about including a gift in your will to PDSA and the Safe Hands rehoming service, please contact the PDSA Legacy team on 0800 591248 or visit www.pdsa.org.uk/safehands.

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The Cinnamon Trust

www.cinnamon.org.uk

Tel: 01736 757900

The Cinnamon Trust is a national charity dedicated to helping elderly people and their pets.  Their aim is to keep people and their animals together and to give them all the help they need to be able to do that.  They have just launched their updated guide to pet friendly care homes, and so can help you find a good pet friendly residential home.
The Cinnamon Trust Advice
Here are some tips from The Cinnamon Trust if you are looking for a suitable residential home
Residential facilities are more likely to consider taking a well-behaved, well trained dog.  This is a good reason for making sure that your dog is a good social member of canine society long before you have to consider residential care

Find a residential care home/sheltered accommodation that has a manager with a very pro-pets policy

Make sure you know how much care you/the owner is capable of providing.  Will help be needed with dog walking and grooming?  Will someone need to shop for dog food?  Will you need reminding to feed the dog or to give him toilet breaks.  If so, enquire whether the home will help with these areas.  If more help is required, get in touch with the Cinnamon Trust, as they can also help with these areas.

Find out about the homes facilities.  For example, is there a secure area to let the dog off lead and are there several places to walk the dog nearby?

Find out about the homes rules and make sure you are happy with them.  For example, will the dog be allowed in the communal areas?

Are there any other pets in the home that need to be taken into consideration.

Make prior arrangements with the Cinnamon Trust or a named person to be responsible for the dog should the owner pass away.  This will give peace of mind.

Provide the home with the details of the owners vet

The smoother this transition can be made for a relative the easier it will be for both to settle.  Remember the pet will be confused as well to start with and both will take time to settle in

Let the owner know that they will have their best friend by their side when taking this big step.  Moving into a care home with a pet can mean  new friends and companionship for owners and dog.  It is a lot easier to intergrate when you have your pet by your side.



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