Pets, Retirement, and the Pandemic: A Good Mix?
Category: Family and Retirement
August 19, 2020 — If you are like a lot of the people we know, the pandemic might have led you into thinking about adding a pet to the family. Across the country and maybe the world, animal shelters and rescue operations have slimmer pickings, and breeders are not returning phone calls. So this seems like as good a time as any to revisit “Pets and Retirement”. Topretirements has two very popular articles on this topic, “Are Pets and Retirement a Good Mix?“, and “Pets, the X Factor in Retirement“. Between the two they generated almost 100 reader comments, so we know this is a topic that resonates among retirees, who have different needs and lifestyles than working families. If you are tempted to add some type of pet to your family, these articles are a good place to help organize your thoughts and plans.
Comments on "Pets, Retirement, and the Pandemic: A Good Mix?"
RichPB says:
Having a pet during this pandemic, as was noted, can be very helpful for companionship, diversion and a friendly listener. When we take Dante out, we avoid allowing strangers pet him -- just one more contagion. Our vet has been scrupulous about managing necessary visits which has been very reassuring.
The two previous articles and comments linked above are excellent for those who have not read them -- especially the "X-factor". I added two lengthy comments there about traveling that should be helpful. Thousands of road miles with two small dogs (plus many months with an RV), taught us a lot. And the other comments there about ensuring vet's during your travels are truly important.
Ed LaFreniere says:
Getting a pet in retirement can be a great idea, unless you are a frail 90-year-old and have your sights set on a 250-pound bull mastiff – or a live-in Clydesdale. Veterinarians offer many caveats, while remaining supportive of pets for seniors. For their take, as well as suggestions from psychologists, please visit my website for a Retirement Sage column on this topic. Please click here:
https://www.retirementhumor.net/safe-pets
Comment from Editor: Thanks to Ed for suggesting this topic when he noticed we had a new puppy!
Staci says:
We travel too much by plane ( or we were ) to make having a pet practical for us now, but down the road when we’re done wandering, I could definitely see us having a smallish dog.
Flatearth6 says:
We have been touring Retirement Communities and most condo-style buildings have unit access off a central hallway. We were delighted to see, at one such community, they had screen doors on some units. Since there isn't pervasive air conditioning, that was for people who had small pets. They could leave their doors open, for ventilation, without letting the pets into the hallway. Also a way to be a little more sociable. Brilliant!