Pets when you have a disability

JohnnyPD
JohnnyPD Community member Posts: 1 Listener
edited October 17 in Community noticeboard

Hi Everyone, I'm Johnny and have Parkinson's. I occasionally help present for a small Parkinson's radio station. I'm looking to do a feature on adopting / owning a pet with Parkinson's but then thought give the opportunity to wider disability community.

I believe pets offer great companionship & are a good complimentary therapy to living with a disability but feel a lot of people who can't manage a Dog or Cat may not realise there are lots of types of animals looking to be rehomed that they could adopt and manage, if criteria for both animal and person wellbeing is met.

I have spoken to the RSPCA and they are happy to discuss adoption procedure. They will also be happy to do a Q & A and try to answer any questions submitted. If would like to pose a question or have any queries please message me here and I will reply asap with more specific details about broadcasting.

Depending on response and type of question I cannot guarantee all questions will be answered but will try. The closing date to submit them will be 8th November.

Best Wishes

Johnny

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Comments

  • eeL
    eeL Community member Posts: 269 Empowering

    JohnnyPd My mother has Parkinson's and lung cancer and has just taken on a cat - she's always had cats so the house already had a catflap so the cat can let itself out if she's in bed having a bad day and as long as it has a litter tray and water / dry food left down it'll manage until one of us can drop by to deliver cat litter/ food and clean out trays. Not TOTALLY trouble free in that a small amount of assistance required but a good companion as she's on her own mostly. I have three cats, I have autism and other conditions. Cats Protection are great at listening and advising, either on whether to have a cat, or to recommend cats for certain circumstances, i.e. feral, road wise, etc.

    Please do ask Cats Protection for input!

    The shopping for pets can be difficult for unaided people with disabilities and the bending down sometimes involved can be problematic, but don't forget assistance dogs who can be a new lease of life! People with mental health and neurodivergent disabilities can have their lives turned around by pets. Getting a cat made me stop trying to commit suicide three times a day - I had a responsibility to someone else, and a friend who didn't judge and would cuddle me even if I looked a mess and (by human standards) was a disaster in life in a messy house. If my cats get fed and are warm and dry when it's cold and wet then they really don't care about the rest of it 😊

    Good luck with the show, and thanks for thinking of us and animals ❤

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