Pet-Friendly Assisted Living: What to Expect and How to Find the Right Community

When you’re searching for a senior living community, you want to find one that feels just like home. For many adults, a space doesn’t feel like home without their pet. Many assisted living communities today allow pets, though policies and restrictions can vary by provider and location.

If you’re searching for pet-friendly senior living, it is helpful to understand the general policies, as well as how to incorporate this factor when making your final decision. After all, having your pet not only makes it feel like home, but it can also reduce your stress and ensure your transition to a new community goes as smoothly as possible. 

Are Pets Allowed in Assisted Living?

Many assisted living communities are pet-friendly, allowing pets of certain sizes and types. While you would have struggled to find pet-friendly accommodations even a decade ago, today’s senior living professionals understand the comfort and familiarity that pets bring and have found a way to ensure pet-friendliness without it being a stressor for others in the community.

Of course, all assisted living communities are different. This means pet-friendliness might differ from one community to another. Some communities might not allow pets at all, while others might have policies that dictate the type of pet a resident can bring along, as well as the size of the pet. Finally, pet policies might include additional fees, specific apartment choices, and a clause that ensures that the resident is the one caring for the pet (and that pet care duties are not taken care of by a caregiver).

Common Pet Policies in Assisted Living Communities

As you begin your search for pet-friendly senior living, you’ll want to be sure you are clear about the policies regarding pets for each assisted living community you are considering. Remember, not all communities welcome pets in the same way. Here are a few factors that might vary from community to community.

Types of Pets Typically Allowed

Even if an assisted living community welcomes pets, it may not welcome all pets. A common policy is for a community to welcome dogs, cats, and small animals. When it comes to “small animals,” this stipulation may include fish, birds, and some caged animals, like a hamster or rabbit.

Size, Breed, and Number Restrictions

The size of your pet will likely come into play when moving to an assisted living community. Most pet-friendly communities will limit the size of an animal, typically to under 20-30 pounds. This applies mostly to dogs, as does any type of breed limitation.

When it comes to breeds of dogs, some assisted living communities will not welcome aggressive breeds of dogs. The community might also require a trainer to sign off that the animal is well-trained and can respond to certain commands.

Many communities also limit the number of pets allowed in an apartment to 1-2. This may vary for fish at some communities.

Finally, pets are typically required to remain on a leash at all times when outside of the apartment. It is unsafe for an animal to be off-leash and roaming the halls of an assisted living community for many reasons.

Health and Vaccination Requirements

Last but not least, most pet-friendly communities do require all animals to have up-to-date vaccinations and a clean bill of health from a veterinarian. Documentation of vaccinations and health will need to be submitted to the assisted living community and updated annually or upon request.

Responsibilities of Pet Owners in Assisted Living

Just as it is when you live at home, seniors in assisted living must be responsible pet owners. A well-cared-for and behaved pet is not only healthy for the senior and their pet, but also for the staff and residents who also call the community home. 

Here are some examples of responsibilities that communities will hold a pet-owner to when living at the community. 

• The resident must be able to handle the care of the animal independently. Pet care tasks, including feeding, watering, walking, and clean-up, should never fall to a community caregiver. Instead, the senior or a family member must be in charge of pet care tasks.
• The pet must be safe, healthy, and well cared for. If the health and safety of the pet comes into question, the assisted living community can call a meeting with the resident and family members to begin moving the pet into a safer environment.
• The pet must be leashed when it is outside of the apartment.
• The pet cannot be brought into the dining room or any other spaces of the community noted by staff. 
• The pet owner is responsible for setting up vet appointments and transporting the animal to/from the appointment. Family members or friends can assist with this task, but staff members of the community will not.
• If there are any behavioral issues (excessive barking, running away, frightening staff or other residents, pet odors coming from the apartment, etc.), the assisted living community can request that the animal be re-homed.
• If the resident is in the hospital or out of the assisted living community for an overnight or more, the family must come pick up the pet.

Costs of Pet-Friendly Assisted Living

Assisted living communities that welcome pets often charge more for this service. Costs associated with pet-friendly senior living communities can vary from place to place, and cover expenses such as insurance and cleaning. When you begin to tour potential communities, ensure you are clear about current pet costs as well as what those costs might be in the future.

Depending on the community, you might expect to pay these additional fees.

One-Time Pet Fees

A one-time fee (or deposit) upon moving in that will cover deep cleaning and any allergy precautions upon move-out. This fee might be anywhere from $100 to $500+.

Monthly Pet Fees

Monthly pet fees, typically billed with the monthly assessment. This amount is typically affordable, ranging from $25 to $75.

Optional Pet Services

Optional pet services are offered at some assisted living communities where the community contracts with a pet care agency that comes to the community to offer services like walking, cleaning, grooming, etc. These prices are billed through the pet care agency.

In addition to these community fees, the resident is responsible for typical pet costs, such as food and supplies. When you’re budgeting for your assisted living home, ensure you include all expenses of pet ownership.

Benefits of Pets in Assisted Living

While pets can be expensive, any pet owner knows the costs are well worth it. There’s nothing like having a pet companion, and research on the emotional and physical health benefits of pets shows that having a pet can decrease stress levels as well as lower blood pressure and feelings of loneliness. Beyond the feel-good aspects of owning a pet, residents in assisted living can also benefit from pet ownership.

• Enhanced sense of purpose and reason to get up and move each morning
• Pet care tasks can enhance routine and familiarity
• Walking and other pet care chores can boost mobility, strength, and endurance
• More opportunities for meeting new friends and increasing social connections

Pet-Friendly Features to Look for in a Community

When you tour potential communities, you want to look for amenities that suit your lifestyle and preferences.. This includes ensuring there are features that will make your pet more comfortable, too:

• Plenty of pet-friendly outdoor space (some communities might have designated pet areas)
• Pet parks with pet-friendly stimulation
• Green spaces, walking trails and paths
• Ground-floor apartment options for easier outdoor access
• Friendly and welcoming neighbors

Questions to Ask a Pet-Friendly Assisted Living Community

Asking the right questions during your tour or inquiry process can help you make a decision as well as ensure you aren’t surprised by any policies or costs in the future. Add these questions to your “must-ask” list.

• What are your current pet policies? Do you see these changing in any way in the near future?

• How many pets are allowed per apartment?

• What are pet restrictions (number, size, etc.)?

• What are all the fees for bringing a pet with me to the community?

• Do you offer any pet services onsite?

• What vaccinations and health records are required? Do I need to use a specific vet?

• What happens if I need to visit the hospital and stay overnight there?

• Are there any restrictions on where pets are allowed within the community?

• Are there currently many residents living with pets in the community?

Tips for Moving to Assisted Living with a Pet

A move is a big transition for you and for your pet. Ease the transition for both of you by ensuring you both maintain your typical routine. Set up your pet’s favorite toys and their space right away, and give them time to sniff and get comfortable. Remember to offer lots of snuggles and reassurance; you’ll both benefit from that!

Finding the Right Pet-Friendly Community

Bringing your pet to assisted living can make your new apartment feel just like home. Be sure you are looking for a community that not only welcomes pets, but that has rules and pricing that fit into your current lifestyle.

Finding the right pet-friendly assisted living community can help support emotional well-being, maintain daily routines, and make the transition into a new community feel more comfortable and familiar. 

Here at Legend Senior Living, we know the importance of pets for our residents, and we welcome them at most residences! Learn more by touring a residence near you.