Pets bring us so much joy and companionship, so when you’re ready to downsize you need to be sure that your furry and feathered friends will be welcome as well.
In this special pet guide, we’ll look at all the factors you need to consider when moving to a retirement village or an over-50s lifestyle resort.
Do Retirement Villages Allow Pets?
Not all Australian retirement villages welcome pets. In fact, according to a 2018 Animal Welfare League survey, only 18 percent of residential aged care facilities allowed pets – this is even though 64 percent of Australian households have pets.
Many older retirement villages weren’t built with pets in mind and don’t have private yards or off-leash walking areas. And for many years, these villages enforced a blanket ban on all pets.
However, there has been a greater understanding of the importance pets play in people’s wellbeing. Many newer retirement living options will welcome pets but with certain conditions – most typically relating to the number and size of pets allowed.
Policies regarding pets vary and are set by individual operators or management companies. If you are considering a retirement village and want to bring your pet, it is important to check the village’s policies before deciding where to call home.
Who Makes the Rules About Pets in Retirement Villages?
The rules about pets in Australian retirement villages are typically made by the individual operators or management companies of the retirement village. These rules are usually set out in the village’s governing documents, such as the bylaws or the resident’s agreement.
This typically centres around residents’ safety and peaceful enjoyment of the resort.
Local government also has a say. Councils may have specific bylaws or regulations that set out the maximum number of pets that can be kept in a home, as well as guidelines for the size and type of pets that are allowed.
Typical bylaws include:
- Restrictions on the size and breed of pets
- Management approval for any new or replacement pets
- Where and when pets may be allowed outside their fenced areas
- Vaccination status
- Rules governing behaviour that will result in the pet’s expulsion
Do Lifestyle Resorts Allow Pets?
Lifestyle resorts that are created for active over 50s, such as GemLife, are completely pet friendly.
These resorts tend to be much newer and designed with pet ownership in mind with plenty of leashed walking areas and many also offering enclosed off-leash pet areas as part of the development.
Like retirement villages there are community rules regarding pets, but one of the many differences between retirement villages and lifestyle resorts includes how restrictive on the type of pet you can bring with you.
For example, GemLife’s pet polices are:
- Owners are responsible for their pets’ behaviour.
- Local council laws regarding pet ownership must be complied with.
- Dogs must be kept on a leash at all times, unless they are in your home, or fenced-off alfresco area, or at the at resort’s off-leash dog run.
- Cats must not stray from your home or roam the resort.
- Cats are to be kept indoors at night to protect local wildlife.
- Pets are not allowed inside the Country Club, common facilities or any GemLife offices with the exception of assistance animals.
- Unacceptable pet behaviour may result in a written warning. More than three written warnings may result in a request for the pet to be removed from the resort.
How to Find a Pet-Friendly Village
Making the right home and lifestyle choice for the next stage of your life should take into account lots of different factors. And if you’re a pet owner, ensuring your furry or feathered friend is welcome will be one of your priorities.
Ways to find out if the location you’re considering is pet friendly include:
- Online search: You can start by doing a search online for retirement villages in your area that allow pets. You can use search terms such as “pet-friendly retirement villages” or “retirement villages that allow pets.”
- Real estate websites: Real estate websites such as Domain and realestate.com.au often have filters that allow you to search for pet-friendly retirement villages.
- Pet-friendly directories: There are several directories that list pet-friendly retirement villages and other pet-friendly accommodations in Australia. Examples include Pet Friendly Accommodation and Pets Allowed.
- Local animal welfare organisations: Local animal welfare organisations may be able to provide information on pet-friendly retirement villages in your area.
- Direct enquiry: You can also contact retirement villages directly and ask about their pet policies.
But before you make a final decision, here are some factors to consider:
Make Sure There is Space for Walks
Dogs in particular need regular exercise (as do their owners). Depending on the size of the dog this means between 30 minutes to an hour of exercise per day.
When inspecting a retirement village or a lifestyle resort, look for plenty of footpaths and walking areas within the resort.
Just as important is the location, so be sure to check the surrounding areas. Are there walking areas, are you close to parks – especially ones that allow off-leash activity?
GemLife resorts are designed with pet life in mind with leashed walking areas within the resort and many are located near walking trails and parks ensuring your pet has plenty of exercise opportunities.
Are There Socialising Opportunities for Pets?
Just as important as places to go walkies, is the opportunity for your dog to socialise with other four-legged friends.
Ask if your retirement village or lifestyle resort has a fenced off-leash area that allows your dog to make friends. This is an important part of the settling in process – especially if you have moved some distance from your family home.
An off-leash area where dogs can run, under the supervision of their owners, reduces canine anxiety and health issues related to obesity. These runs are a great way for pet owners to get to know one another too!
What Happens If You’re Not at Home?
Pets thrive on routine and cats particularly prefer the comfort of their own home. So, what happens when you decide to go on holiday and can’t take the pets with you?
Some dogs and cats dislike boarding kennels and would prefer the familiarity of their own home environment. When you live at an over-50s lifestyle resort, there are no shortage of neighbours who may offer to look after your pet while you’re away.
GemLife resorts are secure and gates communities to give you added peace of mind that your pet is safe.
Is the Facility Close to a Vet?
Location of your new home is important. Knowing there are medical facilities nearby – for both you and your pet – should be an important consideration.
GemLife resorts around Australia have been chosen for the appealing locations that are also convenient to local amenities.
Before you make a final decision on the location of your new home, look to see how many local vets there are in the area and do an online search for reviews so you can feel assured that your pet will be well looked after.
6 Tips for Settling In With Your Pet
Moving to a new home can be stressful for both you and your pet, but there are several things you can do to help your furry friend settle into their new surroundings:
- Keep to a routine: Try to stick to your pet’s normal routine as much as possible, including their feeding and exercise schedules. This will help them feel more comfortable and secure in their new environment.
- Create a safe space: Set up a designated space in your new home for your pet, such as a cosy bed or crate, with their toys and familiar items. This will give them a place to retreat and help them feel more secure.
- Introduce them to the new home gradually: Start by introducing your pet to one or two rooms in your new home, and gradually let them explore more areas as they become comfortable. This can help prevent them from becoming overwhelmed or stressed.
- Spend time with them: Spend quality time with your pet, playing, snuggling, and talking to them. This will help them feel more at ease and strengthen your bond with them.
- Update their identification: Make sure to update your pet’s identification tags and microchip information with your new address and phone number in case they get lost.
- Be patient: It may take some time for your pet to adjust to their new surroundings, so be patient and understanding. Provide them with lots of love and attention, and they will soon feel right at home.
Explore the GemLife Difference
We all love our furry companions, so it’s important to choose a downsizing option will make them feel as welcome as you are.
At GemLife, our resorts are designed with pet ownership in mind.
Each of our homes feature secured yards that will have your pets feeling safe and secure. Within the resort, there are plenty of walking areas for leashed pets as well as a sizable off-leash area.
Experience the best that GemLife has to offer in some of Australia’s most desirable locations. Nestled throughout Australia’s most sought-after seachange and treechange locations, GemLife provides premium resort-style living for over 50s looking to start their next chapter.
For more information, contact us today and reach out to our specialist team or request an info pack.
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