Who Will Look After Your Pet in an Emergency?

Golden Hearts™ is a pet support program for seniors, designed to help

people 65 years and older with pet ownership. And the biggest newsflash

here is that it is free to join.

A barrier to pet ownership for many older people is the concern that no one

will be there to care for their pets in the case of an emergency situation. This could

include a hospital stay or during a bout of ill-health.

Boarding kennels can be expensive and most elderly pet owners would not like

the thought of their pet being alone in a kennel. The last thing an older person

who is suffering ill-health needs is the added stress of worrying about their pet.

AWLQ to the rescue! Golden Hearts™ members can use the Short-Term

Emergency Pet Care Service, or S.T.E.P.S. (This program is subject to eligibility for

genuine medical emergencies.) This can give older pet owners peace of mind that

their beloved pets will be cared for no matter what happens.

The Golden Hearts™ program also supports older people who need to transition

into an aged-care facility that does not allow pets. This can be a very difficult time

and AWLQ offers a free surrender of a person’s beloved pet. They try and match

the pet with a loving new home in a similar environment to what it had.

YOU ARE NEVER TOO OLD TO OWN A PET

Companion animals reward us with unconditional love, acceptance, and friendship

– the endearing tilt of the head from a faithful dog can lift our spirits, just as the

gentle purr from a contented cat can feed our souls.

Sharing your life with a companion animal has many health and social benefits

– particularly for mature-aged people. Yet senior-aged people often believe they

are too old to care for a pet. Many elderly people who do own a pet, sometimes

feel in need of extra support with the care of their animals but are unsure of who

they can turn to for help.

Golden Hearts™ Seniors’ Pet Support Program has been designed to break

down the barriers that stand in the way of senior people owning pets. It helps

make pet ownership as stress-free as possible. It gives those aged 65 and older

the peace of mind and support they need to enjoy the many benefits of animal

companionship.

Whether you are looking for a companion animal with whom to share your life

or you already own a pet, AWLQ’s Golden Hearts™ program is there to support

you every step of the way.

ADDITIONAL BENEFITS OF GOLDEN HEARTS™

If you are a member of Golden Hearts™, you can receive 50% off annual vaccinations

through AWLQ’s Community Vet Clinics, plus 10% off everything else. And, there is

also discounted pet grooming available.

Golden Hearts™ also has annual social events where members get to enjoy the

company of like-minded people.

Remember, Golden Hearts™ membership is completely free. The program

supports a senior-aged person through every step of pet ownership whether they

adopted their pet from the AWLQ or not. To Join Golden Hearts™:

Send an email to goldenhearts@awlqld.com.au to learn more, or call 07 5509 9033.

You can also pick up a booklet from any of the AWLQ Rehoming Centres, Vet Clinics or Op Shops. 􀀓􀀉􀀋􀀋􀀅􀀊􀀇􀀚􀀖􀀉􀀋􀀇􀀖􀀉􀀐