The Consequences of “No Pets” Rules for Seniors

When Helen Smith’s pet cat was removed after legal action was threatened by the apartment manager, the elderly woman suffered a heart attack. And when 94-year old Augusta Parker was forced to give up her pet and move into a "no pets" assisted living facility, her family described her as “almost suicidal.”

Day after day, the Animal Rescue Coalition receives calls and letters from seniors like Helen Smith and Augusta Parker. Some have faced the terrible choice of keeping their pets and being evicted or moving into “no pets” housing. Others report they are hiding their pets. And still others call to say they have been threatened with legal action and fines if they don't remove their pet. One 90-year old man in a mobile home park faced a $100 fine per day if he didn't get rid of his cat despite the fact that his doctor had prescribed a pet to help him recover from mental deterioration after a stroke.

Dr. Burt Veazey has been a physician in Sarasota County for over 30 years. He also volunteers his time to ARC's Open Door Committee. If Dr. Veazey has his way, seniors will be able to keep and adopt pets despite the "no pets" rules in mobile home parks, apartments, and condominiums. Veazey has joined other medical and business people in support of making "no pets" rules unenforceable against senior citizens.

To Veazey and others in the health profession, "no pets" rules are harmful to the health of many senior citizens. He points to respected medical research which has found that bonding with a pet can reduce blood pressure even better than certain medications. In one study, people with animal companions were shown to have an increased likelihood of surviving a heart attack. The Journal of the American Geriatric Society reported that pet owners were more active, less depressed and less lonely than people who do not have a pet.

Another supporter is Dr. Conrad Wiet, a physician in the geriatric field for 40 years who currently volunteers at Senior Friendship Centers Health Service. "It benefits people in general to have the companionship of a pet. For seniors in particular, pets offer a great benefit to physical and psychological health. Pets give seniors an incentive to live a full life, rather than being isolated and alone."

Ed Taylor operates Heron House, an assisted living facility that allows pets. "We've seen time and again the tremendous health benefits our residents experience with their pets. When I hear all the arguments against having pets, I want to say come and visit Heron House. See how our residents live with these pets. The health benefits far outweigh any problems we've encountered."

Even with its large senior population, Florida has lagged behind other states in opening the doors to seniors and their pets in private housing, according to attorney and ARC volunteer Melinda Delpech.

In New Jersey, seniors in senior citizen housing projects have a right to own a domesticated animal, subject to reasonable regulations for care and maintenance. AARP successfully sponsored legislation in California providing that mobile home park leases and the governing documents of a common interest development entered into, renewed, or modified after Jan. 1, 2001 may not prohibit homeowners from keeping at least one pet.

Why do pets have this amazing healing power? To Veazey, the answer is simple. "Pets offer unconditional and non-judgmental love and friendship. They don't care if you're rich or poor. They don't care if you're old and incontinent. Pets help people feel needed and have a sense of purpose."