Our Community Aged Care Program is currently unable to take on any additional clients. If you and your pet are in urgent need of help, please reach out to our Contact Centre at (02) 9770 7555 to discuss how we can help you find the support you need.
The bond between older adults and their pets can significantly enhance people’s quality of life, making it essential to find ways to support these critical relationships. For older animal carers, pets can foster social interactions, help reduce loneliness and provide a unique sense of purpose and emotional support.
It’s no surprise that senior pet owners may experience significant stress at the prospect of being hospitalised or undergoing medical treatment and leaving their beloved animal companions unattended and alone. Concerns about what will happen to their beloved animals can often lead to anxiety and even result in people leaving hospital prematurely out of worry for their pet.
By addressing older pet owners needs and allowing them to continue independently, we ensure they can continue to enjoy the companionship of their precious forever friends.
Our Aged Care program aims to keep pets and their elderly owners happy, healthy and together in their own homes for as long as possible. To do this, we assist elderly pet owners over the age of 65, Indigenous pet owners over the age of 50 and palliative care patients of any age.
Services our Aged Care program offers include:
Through our Social Return on Investment (SROI) reports, we’ve been able to measure values not typically explored in impact reports and financial statements. These can include social, economic, and environmental factors. Â
As a charity, RSPCA NSW relies on donations, partnerships, and fundraising to drive change in our communities, provide treatment and shelter for animals, and offer relief and crisis support for people and pets in need. That’s why we’re excited to share our Aged Care SROI Report, which express the social return your investment in our programs has had! 
Each situation is assessed on a case-by-case basis, and cost may depend on which services are required. Please contact the RSPCA Community Programs helpline (02) 9782 4408Â
Our Aged Care program is available throughout New South Wales. All enquiries come through our Sydney office, so more regional area enquiries may take longer to action. Our in-home services and some volunteer and foster care services are currently limited to the Sydney area.
There is no allocated timeframe for an animal staying in our care. However, animal stays are dependent on kennel space, their behavioural and medical needs, and the client’s individual circumstances.
Our Aged Care program is in place to support people that already have pets at home. However, we are supportive of elderly clients wishing to adopt a pet for companionship. For advice and recommendations regarding suitable pets for adoption, please contact your local RSPCA NSW shelter or adoption centre.Â
Yes, this community program was previously known as Pets of Older Persons (POOPs).
Our helpline is contactable Monday to Friday, 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. During weekends and public holidays, please contact our RSPCA Contact Centre. Details can be found here.Â
We promise to uphold the highest ethical standards. Your personal information has never been, and never will be sold or traded to other charities. This is our promise to you.
We acknowledge the Traditional Owners of the lands on which we live and work. We recognise and respect the enduring relationship they have with their lands and waterways, and particularly acknowledge the vital role animals have played in Indigenous life, stories and culture for tens of thousands of years.
The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
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The RSPCA is an independent, community-based charity providing animal care and protection services across the country.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.
