Many older adults are excited to move into a communal environment but are reluctant to part with their beloved furry friends. Thankfully, many retirement communities have pet-friendly policies that allow residents to move in with their pets. With the number of benefits there are to owning a pet during retirement, it’s no surprise that many retirees are looking for pet-friendly senior living options in their area.
When you’re looking for a retirement living option, the best way to ensure you make an informed decision is to ask tons of questions. Read on to learn what pet-related questions you should ask when searching for pet-friendly senior living in Alsuma, OK!
What Rules are There Regarding Types of Pets?
The types of pets that a retirement community can accommodate may vary from one place to the other. For example, if you own an exotic pet such as a snake or frog, it’s in your best interests to ask about the types of pets allowed in a community you’re looking into. While some communities may accept a wider variety of pets, some may limit the types to only domesticated animals like dogs and cats. Even for owners with domesticated animals, there may be rules and restrictions regarding the size and breed of a pet.
What Does the Community Do for Pets and Owners?
Pet-friendly retirement communities shouldn’t only be friendly in name, which is why it’s important to ask the community how exactly they provide for pets and owners. Ideally, your community should accommodate pets in certain ways, such as making certain areas like outdoor exercise corners accessible to pets.
What Age of Pet is Allowed?
Aside from breed and size, age is also another factor retirement communities consider when it comes to pets moving in with their owners. For example, retirement communities tend to have a minimum age for intake, many of them only allowing housebroken dogs that are at least a year old.
Are There any Exceptions for Service or Therapy Animals?
If your pet is a service or therapy animal, your retirement community may be willing to bend certain rules for your situation. For example, while there are bound to be certain areas where pets aren’t allowed such as the dining room, these areas may be accessible to service or therapy pets.
Does the Community Need a Pet Health Certificate?
Many retirement communities require pet owners to provide them with proof of their pets’ veterinary vaccinations. Not only do these rules protect residents and team members, but it also protects the other pets living in the community. Additionally, your pet’s health may also be assessed when evaluated by your community.
Do We Need to Pay a Pet Deposit?
It takes additional resources for a retirement community to accommodate pets, which is why many pet-friendly locations will require pet owners to pay a pet deposit. If so, you should ask follow-up questions such as the exact cost, and whether the pet deposit is refundable.
Are you looking for a pet-friendly retirement community? If so, consider checking out our pet-friendly senior living options!
