Sections 1 to 5
Section 1 – Letter Sent to Retirement Homes
Hi,
Responsible Dog Owners of Canada (RDOC) (http://www.responsibledogowners.ca/) is a registered, non-profit, national organization comprised of volunteers who believe that responsibility, respect and recognition are fundamental components of dog ownership.
Many seniors have pets and would like to bring them to the retirement home they move to. RDOC is sending out a questionnaire to the retirement homes in the Ottawa-Carleton region to learn about their pet policies. We were wondering if you could complete the enclosed questionnaire and give us permission to post your answers on our website and in our newsletter?
1. Do you allow your residents to bring their pets with them when they move to your retirement home? If not, why not?
2. If/when the pet dies, would the owner be allowed to get themselves another pet?
3. What pets do you allow, e.g. dogs, cats, birds, fish etc.?
4. Do you have size/weight/breed restrictions on the pet?
5. How many pets can each person have?
6. Is there an extra charge for the pet?
7. What happens if the pet becomes too much for the owner?
(a) Would staff be able to feed etc. (and, in the case of a dog, walk) the pet?
(b) Would there be an extra charge?
(c) How long before you would ask the owner to rehome his pet?
Thank you for completing the questionnaire.
Julie More
Co-chair RDOC
[email protected]
613-868-2201
Section 2 - Carlingwood Retirement Community
Alaina Rossiter
Marketing Manager
Carlingwood Retirement Community
200 Lockhart Ave., Ottawa, ON
www.carlingwoodretirement.com/
[email protected]
Phone. 613-656-0333
1. Do you allow your residents to bring their pets with them when they move to your retirement home? If not, why not?
Small pets are welcome in the building as long as a resident is able to manage them independently.
2. If/when the pet dies, would the owner be allowed to get themselves another pet?
The owner is allowed to get a pet at any time as long as they are able to manage them independently.
3. What pets do you allow, e.g. dogs, cats, birds, fish etc.?
We allow various type of animals, i.e. dog, cat, bird, fish etc.
4. Do you have size/weight/breed restrictions on the pet?
We do require the resident to have a pet that is considered on the smaller scale "approximately 30 lbs. or under".
5. How many pets can each person have?
This is not outlined as a specific restriction.
6. Is there extra an charge for the pet?
There is no additional charge.
7. What happens if the pet becomes too much for the owner?
If the owner is unable to manage the pet independently, the resident would no longer be able to have the pet in the suite, as our staff would be unable to care for it.
(a) Would staff be able to feed etc. (and, in the case of a dog, walk) the pet?
We would not be assisting in feeding or supporting the pet.
(b) Would there be an extra charge?
N/A
(c) How long before you would ask the owner to rehome his pet?
We do not allow residents to have pets on our assisted living or memory care floors. Residents on our independent floors are able to have a pet as long as they are able to manage its care independently.
Alaina Rossiter, Marketing Manager
Carlingwood Retirement Community
Follow up email from Alaina:
"Our pet policy would be relatively similar within all of our Riverstone communities"
Riverstone retirement communities are:
Oakpark Retirement Community
Bridlewood Trails Retirement Community
Maplewood Retirement Community
Carlingwood Retirement Community
Section 3 - City View Retirement Community
Juanita Cody
Sales and Marketing Manager
City View Retirement Community
151 Meadowlands Dr. W.,
Ottawa, ON K2G 253
www.cityviewretirement.com
[email protected]
Office: 613-317-2388, Cell: 613-857-3879, Fax: 613-317-2387
1. Do you allow your residents to bring their pets with them when they move to your retirement home? If not, why not?
Yes (cats and or small dogs).
2. If/when the pet dies, would the owner be allowed to get themselves another pet?
Yes, if they are capable of caring for it.
3. What pets do you allow, e.g. dogs, cats, birds, fish etc.?
Yes to all.
4. Do you have size/weight/breed restrictions on the pet?
Small dogs (usually under 15 lbs., but it sometimes depends on the pet. We have the ability to use our discretion when deciding if a pet would be an appropriate fit for our community).
5. How many pets can each person have?
This would depend on the type of pet and size of resident room.
6. Is there extra an charge for the pet?
No.
7. What happens if the pet becomes too much for the owner?
We have a pet agreement which outlines our pet policy. Owners need to be able to properly care for the pet at all times. If the owner is unable to care for the pet, other arrangements would have to be made for the pet.
(a) Would staff be able to feed etc. (and, in the case of a dog, walk) the pet?
No.
(b) Would there be an extra charge?
No.
(c) How long before you would ask the owner to rehome his pet?
The owner could keep his/her pet as long as they are able to care for and provide a good quality of life for the pet.
I have answered your questions below. Thank you for including us in your research. We love pets and feel that it is very important for people who have them to be able to keep them for as long as they are able to properly care for them. It is our goal to ensure that both the resident and the pet(s) are enjoying a great quality of life. We do have a pet agreement that has to be signed prior to a resident taking occupancy of a room here that helps to ensure that the pet is well looked after and that arrangements will be made should the resident no longer be capable of properly caring for the animal.
Juanita Cody
Sales and Marketing Manager
City View Retirement Community
Section 4 - The Ravines Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
Paula Patterson
Resident Relations Manager
Alavida Lifestyles
The Ravines Seniors' Suites & Retirement Residence
636 Prado Private, Ottawa ON K2E 0B6
[email protected]
www.AlavidaLifestyles.com
Tel: 613.288.7906 ext.2116, Fax: 613.288.7901
1. Do you allow your residents to bring their pets with them when they move to your retirement home? If not, why not?
Yes we do allow residents to bring their pets. There is a form to sign in case of damage to property, indicating that the resident is liable for damages. Pets are not permitted in the dining room or where food is being served. Pets should always be on a leash as other residents may be fearful of dogs, and so they are not running through the community.
2. If/when the pet dies, would the owner be allowed to get themselves another pet?
Yes they can certainly get another pet, should their pet pass away.
3. What pets do you allow, e.g. dogs, cats, birds, fish etc.?
Preferably small dogs as they are easier to manage, cats, birds, fish. No snakes (not policy just mine).
4. Do you have size/weight/breed restrictions on the pet?
Small dogs preferably, but we do have two large dogs, one that is a service dog.
5. How many pets can each person have?
We did not put a restriction on how many pets. It would depend on various factors, i.e. if one was capable of managing them. Preferably one, no more than two.
6. Is there extra an charge for the pet?
There is no extra charge for a pet, however, we do not provide pet food.
7. What happens if the pet becomes too much for the owner?
If someone could no longer provide care for the pet, it would be responsibility of the Power of Attorney or a responsible person to find a home.
(a) Would staff be able to feed etc. (and, in the case of a dog, walk) the pet?
No, we have not been asked to provide that service. However, there are PSW's that may consider it for a fee. Not 100% sure. Also there are companies that specialize in that kind of work.
(c) How long before you would ask the owner to rehome his pet?
Again, if the pet is not properly cared for, as in the case of neglect, not being fed, keeping the suite clean from feces & urine, or abuse in any way.
Paula Patterson
Resident Relations Manager
"Your Life, Our Passion"
Section 5 - Alta Vista Retirement Community
Jenna Lacharity
Senior Lifestyle Consultant
[email protected]
www.reveraliving.com
1. Do you allow your residents to bring their pets with them when they move to your retirement home? If not, why not?
Yes.
2. If/when the pet dies, would the owner be allowed to get themselves another pet?
Yes.
3. What pets do you allow, e.g. dogs, cats, birds, fish etc.?
All of the above.
4. Do you have size/weight/breed restrictions on the pet?
No.
5. How many pets can each person have?
1-3. The restrictions on all the questions involving pets is whether the resident or the family is able to help care for the pets, as we do not provide pet care.
6. Is there an extra charge for the pet?
No.
7. What happens if the pet becomes too much for the owner?
If the owner still wants to have the pet but is finding caring for the pet difficult, then we can approach the family, or power of attorney.
(a) Would staff be able to feed etc. (and, in the case of a dog, walk) the pet?
We have done this at Alta Vista, but we cannot guarantee it as often as the pet requires to be properly cared for. Agencies can be hired, or family.
(b) Would there be an extra charge?
If we do it once in a while, no, and we do not provide the service on an ongoing basis.
(c) How long before you would ask the owner to rehome his pet?
If the owner, family, or no outside help is available then we would see if a staff member would like to rehome the pet for themselves, or seek an alternative agency.
Revera communities with same pet policies:
Alta Vista, Colonel By, Hunt Club Manor, Landmark Court, Lynnwood Park
Edinburgh, Westwood, Valley Stream, Portobello, Windsor Park
Heritage Lodge, Robertson House, Prince of Wales, Barrhaven Manor
Ogilvie Villa & Queenswood Villa
We have 21 communities from the Kingston area to Vankleek Hill. If you go on to our Revera Living website you can find all of our communities. We celebrate National Dog Day.
Jenna Lacharity
Senior Lifestyle Consultant
email RDOC
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