Life Matters

Going into hospital or moving into a nursing home can be very distressing and that stress can escalate dramatically when there is no-one to look after the family pet.

For older people who live alone, pets are cherished companions and the thought of being away from them can be unbearable.

An aged care assessment team at a Sydney hospital found older patients were refusing medical care because they feared losing their pets.

The team consulted the RSPCA and formed the support group POOPS which now looks after 170 four-legged clients in the Sydney area.

Guests

Magdoline Awad
Acting Chief Vet, RSPCA Sydney

Manie
Owner of Honey the Cavalier King Charles

Further Information

POOPS - Pets of Older Persons

Presenter

Richard Aedy

Producer

Kerrie Jean Ross

Story Researcher and Producer

Liza Holman

Radio National often provides links to external websites to complement program information. While producers have taken care with all selections, we can neither endorse nor take final responsibility for the content of those sites.