Pets for the Elderly

The Dubuque Regional Humane Society (DRHS) is a proud participating shelter with the Pets for the Elderly Foundation (PFE)! This organization helps pay the fees to participating animal shelters throughout the United States for senior citizens (age 60 and over) who adopt a companion dog or cat from a participating shelter – including pre-adoption veterinary exams and spay/neuter, if part of the adoption fee. When the late Avrum (Avvy) Katz founded the PFE in 1992 while in his seventies, his vision was to provide companionship to senior individuals through pet ownership, while saving the lives of companion animals in shelters. Mr. Katz personally understood the importance of animal companionship for senior citizens living alone. He attested that the dogs of his golden years, first Caesar and then Sammy, were not only his best friends, but that their company positively impacted his mental and physical health, and he wanted to share that positive experience with other seniors. Today, the PFE mission is stronger than ever. They’ve helped facilitate over 78,000 happy ending adoption stories between seniors and shelter animals across the U.S. Why we do it Research shows the most serious disease for older persons is not cancer or heart disease - it's loneliness. Pets offer affection, unconditional love, fight loneliness, and can help ease the loss of a loved one. Owning a pet also offers many physical and social benefits for seniors as well.

[freepetsfortheelderly]

Our Work 2021

The Pets for the Elderly Foundation helps pay the fees to participating animal shelters throughout the United States for senior citizens (age 60 and over) who adopt a companion dog or cat from a participating shelter – including pre-adoption veterinary exams and spay/neuter, if part of the adoption fee.

When the late Avrum (Avvy) Katz founded the Pets for the Elderly Foundation (PFE) in 1992 while in his seventies, his vision was to provide companionship to senior individuals through pet ownership, while saving the lives of companion animals in shelters.

Mr. Katz personally understood the importance of animal companionship for senior citizens living alone. He attested that the dogs of his golden years, first Caesar and then Sammy, were not only his best friends, but that their company positively impacted his mental and physical health, and he wanted to share that positive experience with other seniors.

Today, the PFE mission is stronger than ever. We’ve helped facilitate over 78,000 happy ending adoption stories between seniors and shelter animals across the U.S. But, we need your help to create even more success stories.

Why we do it

Research shows the most serious disease for older persons is not cancer or heart disease - it's loneliness. Pets offer affection, unconditional love, fight loneliness, and can help ease the loss of a loved one. Owning a pet also offers many physical and social benefits for seniors as well.

“When you get right down to it, what better way is there to celebrate the importance of the human-animal bond than by helping people to enjoy the love and companionship of a four-legged family member during their later years?”

SHARON HARVEY, PRESIDENT AND CEO OF THE CLEVELAND ANIMAL PROTECTIVE LEAGUE

[freepetsfortheelderly]

Former CDC chief suspects COVID likely came from lab

Dr. Robert Redfield, the director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention during much of the Trump administration, said in an interview aired Friday that he believes COVID-19 likely originated from a lab in Wuhan, China, but he did not provide evidence to support the theory.

Redfield’s personal opinion is not in line with the prevailing scientific premise that the virus emerged either through animal-to-human transmission or shipment of frozen food products.

“I still think the most likely etiology of this pathogen in Wuhan was from a laboratory,” Redfield told CNN. “Other people don’t believe that. That’s fine.”

Dr. Robert Redfield, the former head of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images)

He said he didn’t think there was an intentional effort to leak the virus and that he believes COVID began to spread by September or October of 2019. When the menacing illness first came to the attention of the U.S. public in January 2020, it was thought to have emerged the previous month.

A team compiled by the World Health Organization visited the central Chinese metropolis of Wuhan and is preparing a report on the virus’ potential source. The group has already said it does not consider a lab leak to be the most likely origin.

The compilation of the report has been controversial, and China has faced accusations of a lack of transparency with international investigators.

The Wuhan Institute of Virology is located within 10 miles of the wet market believed by some to have played a role in sparking the pandemic, which has killed more than 2.7 million people around the world.

Redfield told CNN he was expressing “only opinion” as he cast doubt on the notion that “one of the most infectious viruses that we know in humanity” went from a bat to a human.

[freepetsfortheelderly]

Pandemic Relief for pets

BARC, the City of Houston's Animal Shelter and Adoption Center, is excited to offer a series of community events this December to provide pet food, supplies, and health care for Houston pet parents that have been impacted by COVID-19. In partnership with Best Friends Animal Society, Rescued Pets Movement (RPM), Houston Pet Set, and Emancipet, BARC will provide over $550,000 in COVID-related, community pet support throughout the holidays.

“During this time of need it is important not to forget about our four-legged friends, said Mayor Turner. “We are happy that we can provide services and supplies for Houston pet parents that have been impacted by COVID-19. We will continue to work with local animal rescue and wellness partners to keep families and their pets together during this difficult time.”

All events are open to all City of Houston residents affected by the pandemic. To support social distancing, all spay/neuter and wellness events are by appointment only. For more information on the events and how to register, please visit https://www.houstontx.gov/barc/pandemic-relief.html or call 311.

[freepetsfortheelderly]

COVID-19 Emergency Resources for People and Pets

Pets for the Elderly is greatly concerned for people and animals during this COVID-19 crisis. We are currently assessing what is needed and will continue to provide updates with resources and information. Our program services and staff are available via email and voicemail, and we will do our best to respond as soon as possible.

Here are some resources for helping people and pets during the novel coronavirus pandemic.

NOTE: Pets for the elderly recognizes the fluidity of the novel coronavirus pandemic and will continue to follow expert recommendations concerning COVID-19 as it relates to pets.

Infectious disease experts and multiple international and domestic human and animal health organizations continue to agree there is no evidence at this point to indicate that, under natural conditions, pets spread COVID-19 to people.

[everythingfox]

“My handsome pup growing into a handsome man”

(Source)

[freepetsfortheelderly]

Why Having a Pet Can Boost Your Mood and Keep Your Brain Healthy

Therapy animals have long been the trusted companions of people with disabilities. Now, animals of all kinds are proving their value to individuals dealing with a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression and even dementia.

Physiology helps explain why animals are such effective therapists for all of us, says Marwan Sabbagh, MD, Director of Cleveland Clinic’s Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health: “Simply petting an animal can decrease the level of the stress hormone cortisol and boost release of the neurotransmitter serotonin, resulting in lowered blood pressure and heart rate and, possibly, in elevated mood.”

Pets can bring calm and companionship

Whether you’re an older adult, a patient dealing with mental health conditions or a caregiver, it’s easy to feel alone and overwhelmed. Depression isn’t uncommon, either, a byproduct of isolation and loneliness.

In these cases, bonding with an animal can help fill this void with social support and, from dogs in particular, unconditional love.

An Australian study of 199 patients who were dealing with mental health conditions such as depression, anxiety or post-traumatic stress disorder found that 94% reported a “reduction of anxiety through tactile stimulation” thanks to a psychiatric assistance dog (PAD). Additionally, 51% of the patients reported that their PAD was responsible for “interrupting undesirable behavior.”

Pets can also foster human connections for their owners. Take a dog for a ramble and strangers who would never dream of approaching you in other situations will strike up a conversation centered on the animal. Even a mere smile from a passerby is a connection that can brighten your day.

A survey of 14 community-dwelling adults aged 65 or older with pets by the journal Aging & Mental Healthfound that their pets might benefit them by “providing companionship, giving a sense of purpose and meaning, reducing loneliness and increasing socialisation.”

But besides living up to the billing as a human’s best friend, there’s yet another benefit that pets, particularly dogs, can bring owners.

The extra benefit of exercise

If your pet is a dog, especially an active one that loves walking, that can yield a second, equally important benefit: physical exercise, which is also key to a brain-healthy lifestyle.

[freepetsfortheelderly]

LEADERSHIP TEAM

The Pets for the Elderly Board of Trustees is comprised of leaders who personally knew Avvy Katz and understand the importance of his mission. The leadership team is committed to ensuring that Mr. Katz’ legacy continues

[freepetsfortheelderly]

Our Partner Shelters

To date, PFE works with 57 shelters in 36 states. Our partner shelters are committed to supporting and implementing our mission and our dedicated to saving the lives of shelter animals in their own right.