The pet-friendly face of a happy retirement...
IT IS the story that touched the hearts of millions – how a cat turned around the life of a drug addict. Now the hit book A Street Cat Named Bob – the true story of James Bowen and his feline friend – has been turned into a film, and is set to be released on Friday.
But the benefits of pet ownership are universal, and something that developers of retirement complexes are keen to embrace.
One such place is Elmbridge Village in Cranleigh, Surrey, where Graham and Sheila Sheriff, who are both in their late 80s, live with their West Highland terrier called Jamie.
After Mr Sheriff developed throat cancer and needed an operation, the couple decided to move to a retirement scheme, but as they had adopted Jamie, finding one that allowed pets was essential. That’s when they came across the Surrey site, run by Retirement Villages.
‘Elmbridge Village is pet-friendly – everybody there fell in love with Jamie straight away and it isn’t hard to see why,’ says Mr Sheriff. ‘We take Jamie on walks in and around the village and he is such a wonderful, happy dog. People always come up to him – he is especially popular with the ladies!’
Pets are welcomed at all Retirement Villages communities, including Charters in East Grinstead, which has a ‘village cat’ owned by one resident.
Having a pet such as a dog or cat can be extremely beneficial to people enjoying retirement, according to research. The Pet Health Council says the company and unconditional love pets can bring can raise self-esteem in the owner, and help overcome issues such as loneliness, anxiety or depression. This is especially true with dogs, which form close bonds with their masters. Stroking pets also relieves stress and reduces blood pressure, says pet insurer Animal Friends. And walking their dogs keeps owners physically fit.
Tony and Nancy Martin, from Stafford, moved to McCarthy and Stone’s Humphrey Court earlier this year after being attracted by its landscaped communal gardens and pet-friendly policy. Like many other retirees, they were keen to ensure that their cockapoo, Millie, could join them at their new home.
‘If we couldn’t have brought Millie with us, we wouldn’t have moved – it’s as simple as that,’ says Mrs Martin. 60. ‘Having her here with us made the place feel like home straight away. Our neighbours adore having Millie here too, and she is happy as she gets plenty of fuss.’
Humphrey Court comprises 45 one and two-bedroom apartments in the heart of Stafford. Prices start from £177,950.
‘Regaining our independence was a really important factor in our relocation, as getting out and about was becoming a bit difficult where we lived before,’ Mrs Martin says. ‘Now I can just take a leisurely stroll into town with Millie whenever I need anything.’ Geoff Bates, head of brand and communications at McCarthy and Stone, says: ‘We recognise the physical and mental benefits of owning a pet for our homeowners, especially for those living on their own. Across our developments we have a number of pets in residence.
‘We welcome them as they are essential to allowing our homeowners to enjoy a fully independent and active lifestyle.
‘Pet ownership can not only be a great mental stimulus, a fantastic form of exercise and companionship, but it can also bring a real sense of constancy, which can be important when settling into a new community.’
Facilities at Humphrey Court include a communal lounge for owners, landscaped gardens and a guest suite – perfect for when friends or relatives want to stay the night.
At Durrants Village, a new Renaissance Villages development in Faygate, West Sussex, Robert Cox and his wife Jean share a threebedroom cottage with their dog Amber. ‘Our property is on the edge of woodland and is ideal for Amber, as we have access to lovely walks directly from our home,’ says Mrs Cox.
Renaissance has also just unveiled a new village – Maudslay Park at Great Alne in Warwickshire. It has 164 properties – a mixture of three-bedroom cottages and twobedroom apartments.
The apartments start from £275,000 and cottages (in which residents can keep pets) will start from £510,000.