Aging with Pets:Innovations and Insights from

Texas APS

Rachel Duer, APS Program Specialist

Joann Tobias-Molina, APS Director

Texas Conference on AgingAustin

Thursday, July 30, 2015

Workshop Highlights

Why pets matter

APS pet survey

Banfield Charitable Trust Grant

Case Examples/Resources

Why Pets Matter

Human-Animal Bond DefinedAmerican Veterinary Medical

Association defines the human animal bond as:

“A mutually beneficial and dynamic relationship between people and other animals that is influenced by behaviors that are essential to the health and well-being of both”.

The Human-Animal Bond - PeoplePets provide a significant source

of unconditional love and acceptance for owners

Pets provide stability, routine and a sense of normalcy during life transitions

Pets also provide a sense of responsibility and purpose outside of self

The Human-Animal Bond - PetsUnconditional acceptance

Constancy and faithfulness regardless of changing life conditions

Total dependence on owners or caregivers

Dependency creates reciprocal relationship

The Human-Animal BondStudy on socialization of senior

men and women with pet dogs:◦Dogs were a primary focus of

conversation◦Buffered the sense of isolation

seniors felt

Relationships with pets helped increase socializing effects for elders who retired, became widowed and/or had little contact with family.

The Human-Animal Bond

Pets are often symbols for owners. They may:

Represent relationships, past or present

Represent children of childless couples or empty nest adults; or,

Be the only social outlet or interaction for an otherwise socially isolated life for an elderly client

The Facts68% of U.S. households now own at least

one pet◦ Dogs – 56.7 million homes◦ Cats – 45.3 million homes

Pet spending has risen from $17 billion in 1994 to almost $60 billion in 2014

The largest expenditure is pet food, followed by vet care, supplies and medications – the combined total for these three alone is almost $50 billion

The FactsBasic annual expenses for dogs and

cats include costs of both surgical and routine vet visits, pet food and treats, grooming and boarding, and miscellaneous expenses like vitamins and toys

Dogs - $1,650 per yearCats - $1,271 per year

Source – American Pet Products Association 2013 Survey

The FactsBetween 3.5 and 4 million pets are

relinquished and euthanized in U.S. shelters each year

It is estimated that more than 500,000 are surrendered due to the pet outliving their human

Spay and neuter programs have reduced the number of pets, but there is no formal strategy to address pets being relinquished due to the death of their human

APS Pet Survey

Texas APSMission: Protect older adults and

people with disabilities from abuse, neglect and exploitation

Texas defines older adults as 65 and older, and adults with disabilities as 18-64

Two investigative programs – In-Home and Provider

Why is APS focusing on services for client’s pets?

Clients refuse to cooperate with service plans because their pets may go without proper care

Volunteers and other free resources for pet care are hard to find or do not exist

Caseworkers are paying for pet goods and services out of their own pocket or caring for client’s pets on their own time (evenings and weekends)

APS Pet SurveyIn February of 2014, APS conducted a

survey regarding clients and pets in advance of a new policy

Survey was sent out electronically to different levels of staff (Caseworkers to Regional Directors) and across every region – responses were anonymous

Here are some sample results from that survey:

APS Pet SurveyIn the last year, 47.2% responded “Yes”

to the question that a client’s home received services to mitigate infestation, but the pet was not treated for the same pest infestation

56.3% responded at least 1-2 pets would have required pet infestation treatment, and 34.5% responded 3-4 pets would have required pet infestation treatment

APS Pet Survey In the last year, 41.4% of

respondents indicated that 1-2 times they encountered a client with pets or animals in need of food who lacked resources to obtain pet food

On average, 52.3% of the cases where animals were in need of food involved 1-2 pets

APS Pet Survey

75% responded in the last year, they were unable to locate a resource for a pet needing emergency shelter due to a client’s emergency removal 1-2 times

On average, 66.2% responded 1-2 pets required temporary boarding in the last year

Banfield Charitable Trust Grant

The mission of Banfield Charitable Trust “BCT” is to fund or administer programs to keep pets and people together and to facilitate solutions to ensure no pet owner will ever have to surrender their pet.

Pet Advocacy Grants (Texas APS grant)

Pet food program (partnering with Meals on Wheels and area food banks)

Pet Peace of Mind (hospice program)

Emergency and preventative veterinary care programs

BCT funds cannot be used for the following:

Clients who are hoarders (BCT standards are 3 animals or less)

Clients who will not be reunited with their animal(s)

Pets that require serious medical attention and/or costly surgery

Pets that require euthanasia that is not medically necessary

Texas DFPS Banfield Grant$30,000.00 from July, 2014 – July, 2015

Piloted program in 2 Regions (Lubbock/San Antonio) then opened up to the state in December, 2014

Paying for the following:◦ Basic veterinary care/health certificates◦ Pet food◦ Grooming◦ Temporary shelter/boarding◦ Other items such as collars, leashes, cat litter,

basic pet supplies, etc.

What can caseworkers purchase?Food Flea and tick

medicationBeddingTemporary

Shelter/BoardingOTC or Rx

medicationGrooming SuppliesVaccinations

Pet groomingHealth certificatesPest Treatment

from vetVet services for

illnessMinor surgical

proceduresOther goods and

services as needed

What does this all mean?

Additional resources and funds to assist with

service plans when it comes to pet issues;

More cooperation from clients because their

pets are safe and cared for; and,

Two funding sources to ensure all options are

considered (BCT and Purchased Client Services,

or PCS).

Who are we really helping with these funds?

We are still serving our clients!

BCT and/or PCS funds should be used in conjunction with the APS pet policy and the service plan to remedy abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.

APS Pet PolicySome APS clients are reluctant to cooperate or refuse to participate in the development or implementation of a service plan due to concerns their pet(s) will not be cared for adequately. APS may use Purchased Client Services (PCS) funds to provide for pet needs as a service to these clients. APS defines a pet as any animal kept as a companion, usually in or around one's home, typically domesticated and cared for attentively and often affectionately.

Payment for pet needs on behalf of a client is made: when there are no family members, community supports, or volunteer resources available to

assist with needs of the pet; as part of a service plan to remedy an immediate danger or ongoing abuse, neglect, or financial

exploitation; and for no more than the legal number of pets covered by local ordinances.

The APS specialist utilizes local resources to implement long-term solutions when the client:

can no longer make decisions regarding the care of his or her pet; will not be reunited with his or her pet; or dies during the investigation or service delivery.

Local resources include, but are not limited to:

pet adoption agencies; animal shelters; animal control; and other community resources.

The APS specialist does not:

assume possession of the pet; attempt to rehome the pet; or transport a client's pet.

Do not progress an investigation to service delivery only for pet needs.

APS Pet Policy - HighlightsDefines “pet” as a companion

animal

Payment for pet needs must accompany a service plan for the client to remedy abuse, neglect or exploitation

Attempt connection with family and local resources first

DFPS Release of Liability

DFPS waives responsibility for the condition of the pet

The client consents to the goods or services provided by APS

Creates a photographic record of the pet

Creates a link between the service provider and the client/owner

Allows BCT access to limited information about the client and their pet for reporting

and promotional purposes

Local Resources and VolunteersCollaborating with local pet rescue

groups and other pet advocacy groups is a great way to build resources and volunteers for the project

Focus is keeping the same veterinarian for pet services and pet diet when at all possible, but APS can choose any reputable vendor for goods and services

Case Example

Toby

Case ExampleBandit

Case ExampleIsabella

ResourcesBanfield Charitable Trust

◦Peace of Mind Grants◦Pet Advocacy Grants◦Pet Food Distributionwww.banfieldcharitabletrust.org

Meals on Wheels◦Pet Food Distribution Program Grant◦Veterinary Assistance Grantwww.mealsonwheelsamerica.org

ResourcesASPCA

◦Low cost spay and neuter programswww.aspca.org/pet-care/spayneuter

2nd Chance 4 Pets◦All-virtual volunteer non-profit

organization, advocacy group◦Help with emergency planning for pet,

pet trusts, emergency kits for pets, etc.www.2ndchance4pets.org

ResourcesGrey Muzzle Organization

◦Funding for senior dog programs nationwide

◦Tomball, Central and North Texas, Bryanwww.greymuzzle.org

Pawsitively Texas◦Low cost pet services in Texas◦Adoptions◦No kill shelterswww. pawsitivelytexas.com

Questions

Contact InformationRachel Duer

◦210-871-3036◦Rachel.Duer@dfps.state.tx.us

Joann Tobias-Molina◦512-438-5518◦Joann.Tobias-Molina@dfps.state.tx.us