Americans Love Their Pets: A Growing Number of Senior Housing Options Are Accommodating Pet Owners

Photo Courtesy of Flickr / Barbara Hanson

Pet ownership in the United States has more than tripled since the 1970’s and shows no signs of slowing. In fact, according to the Humane Society’s 2012 survey, 62% of American households have at least one pet!It’s no secret that having a cat or dog can add so much to our lives, and can even extend it. Studies have shown that people living with pets have lower blood pressure, better cholesterol numbers and less minor health issues in general. And many a happy match has been made between pet lovers who are looking for companionship later in life and a special dog or cat in an animal shelter who needs a loving forever home.

The American ‘love affair’ with animals has even impacted the senior housing industry as an increasing number of senior living communities have changed their rules to now accommodate pets. This trend will likely continue as a majority of adults in the 50 to 75 age range currently care for a pet in their home. In fact, the largest senior housing placement company in the country, A Place For Mom, estimates that 40% of incoming calls are questions about their pet policy as potential new residents want their beloved furry companions to live with them.Here is their list of pet-friendly senior housing options in the Tampa area.

And now pet owners have a few more local resources to assist them when an emergency hardship or financial setback prevents them from caring for their animals.Assistance may include food, spay/neuter surgery, vaccinations or other pet supplies. The goal is to help them keep their beloved furry family members in their own homes and not in a shelter.

Here is a list of those Tampa-based resources:

  • SPCA Suncoast: New Port Richey (pet food)
  • SPCA Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay (spay/neuter assistance)
  • SPOT Low Cost Spay/neuter Clinic: Pinellas Park (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)
  • Pasco Animal Welfare Society (PAWS):Port Richey (spay/neuter assistance)
  • Humane Society of Tampa Bay: Tampa Bay (pet food, discounted/free vaccinations)
  • Frankie’s Friends: Tampa/Clearwater areas (cancer specific — veterinary care assistance)
  • Animal Coalition of Tampa (ACT): Tampa (spay/neuter and vaccination assistance)
  • Raffle Rescue: Pasco County (food and spay/neuter care)
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