Appropriate pet selection: which owner, which animal?

Abstract

Every owner and their circumstances are unique. Likewise, every animal is different. Thus it is not practicable to provide explicit specific advice as to what pet would best suit an individual elderly owner. However, general guidelines are given below and it is strongly recommended that each case is assessed individually and, where appropriate, advice, help and support is sought from experts such as veterinarians, local authority animal welfare officers, behaviour counsellors, rescue organisations, environmental health officers and species/breed organisations.
Frequently owners will tend to acquire a pet that is of the same type as one they had before. Alternatively, a well-intentioned friend or relative may give a person a pet to ‘keep them company’. In either case there may not have been due consideration of what might be the most suitable pet for the person and their circumstances.
Where pets and owners are well matched the relationship can be one that is rewarding for both human and animal. However, mis-matching can lead to stress for the owner, and potentially other people, and compromise the animal’s welfare. It is crucial that the pet chosen matches the owner’s needs and expectations. In order for this to be successful several areas should be assessed.
• What the owner desires from a relationship with an animal • The current and future likely health of the owner, both physical and psychological. • Limitations and opportunities provided by the current accommodation, and whether the owner likely to be moving during the animal’s lifetime. • The knowledge and experience of the person of that type of animal and of animals in general • Whether there are others who may be willing to share in the responsibility of caring for the animal

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