Today is a special Topical Thursday post because we’re joining with bloggers around the world in the Blog the Change for Animals event to highlight an issue where you can make a difference for animals.
Many of you probably read the story last month about Joan Price, a woman who had unexpectedly entered hospice at an assisted living facility after a hospital stay, leaving her cat, Isis alone in Joan’s apartment. Luckily for Joan, her story came to the attention of the amazing Dorian Wagner, who used Facebook to help find both an immediate foster and a permanent adopter for Isis. There’s much more to the heartwarming story, and it’s still ongoing.
Joan and Isis found a whole group of caring people on the internet to make sure that Isis was well cared for, but a lot of people in hospice and their pets aren’t that fortunate. While pets may be a source of great comfort for hospice patients, they can also be a source of worry when the patient can’t provide the kind of care their pets need. Caregivers focused on taking care of the hospice patient are often too busy with those tasks to be able to take care of pets.
How can you help?
A small but growing number of nonprofit hospice organizations recognize this and are implementing “pet peace of mind” programs. These programs are designed to help keep pets at home at a time when the terminally ill need their comfort the most. Those nonprofit hospices are often seeking volunteers to feed pets, scoop litterboxes, walk dogs, and even provide transportation from the hospice patient’s home to veterinarians or groomers.
Some of these hospice programs also help with placement planning for the pets so that the hospice patient has the peace of mind of knowing that their beloved cat or dog will have a good home if their family doesn’t have one to offer. Our local hospice organization even has PetFinder listings to help locate great homes for the pets of their patients who have nowhere else to go.
You may not be able to participate in helping care for the now-famous Isis, but there are pets of hospice patients in your community. You can make a difference close to home by making time in your schedule to help care for a cat or dog for a hospice patient. If you’re thinking of adding to your family with a new pet, consider making an adoption commitment for a kitty or pup of a hospice patient when it’s time for the patient to give up their beloved pet.
The patient’s peace of mind that their beloved pet is safe and cared for is priceless.
Ingrid King says
The story of Isis and Joan is such a testament to what one person can do to make a difference. Dorian is amazing. I also hope that this story will raise awareness of how important pets are to hospice patients. I’d like to see hospice facilities consider allowing pets to stay with the patients!
marg says
Oh goodness, this is such a good idea.I like Ingrid’s idea too. This is really an important thing for older people. I want to look into this a little more. Thanks for posting about it .
The Island Cats says
Such an important subject. We hope the story of Joan and Isis inspires others to help the pets of people in hospice.
Fur Everywhere says
I’ve loved following Joan and Isis’ story. It is so heartwarming to see all the caring people making Joan’s life a great one and it’s awesome that Isis has a home now.
I hope that more and more hospices will implement pet programs so that hospice patients can rest easier, enjoy their companions while they are able, and have peace of mind knowing that their pets will be cared for when it’s time.
Random Felines says
we hope that people will take the example of Joan and Isis and help make change….. we are lucky we have a local rescue called HosPets that does the very thing you are talking about. And they have teamed up with Meals on Wheels to make sure seniors are getting supplies they need to keep their pets as well.
Melissa & Truffles says
It’s hard to think about but incredibly important too.
Savannah's Paw Tracks says
We have a plan for our girls, but it is not as firmed up as I would like. It is difficult when one has no family close by and those who are far away are all allergic to cats. It is a real worry. We will likely ask the rescue from which we adopted the girls to step in if something unforeseen happens to us. And I just learned of a woman in a small care facility who was indeed allowed to have her cat. Makes all the difference to her
Ellen Pilch says
It breaks my heart every time I hear stories of people having to give up their cat hwne they are ill. I am glad that people are doing something to bring more awareness to this problem.
Athena and Marie says
Great post and very important. It’s heartwarming to know that there are people in the world that do care.
Cathy Keisha says
When Gramma was dying of cancer, she had a live-in nurse and that allowed her to remain with her beloved Autumn. Still she wouldn’t let go until TW told her in words that Autumn would be cared for by her. TW just got an e-mail fmor a friend saying that since she was no longer young, she wasn’t owning more than two cats for the that reason. At one time, she had as many as 5. Great BtC post. BTW: did you hear our government now has everyone in the Joan & Isis FB group under survilliance because of the killer group ISIS?
Annabelle says
I believe it does all of us good who follow the story of Joan and Isis to see it unfold. To bring awareness to an issue that needs to be addressed. Knowing how owners feel about their beloved animals, just thinking about the possibility that your animal would be torn from a loving home into a cage is hard especially if your life was coming to an end. I hope that more is done to help within the hospice community to think of this. So many people do not have any family to help them.
Bethany says
After all of the deaths in our family last year (four close relatives in three months!) I learned a lot about the fantastic work hospice volunteers do and had considered spending some time this year giving back. Of course, I would be even more excited to give back if it involved pets. Thank you for making me aware of these programs. I am off to check out opportunities in my community right now!
Kitty Cat Chronicles says
Great article. We had never thought of volunteering for hospice in that way. We will look into it. Thanks for the suggestions. Sharing.
Crepes says
YOu know, we never realized that we could do that – commit to taking in a hospice patient’s pet. What a relief it would be to that person. And such a wonderful idea. – Crepes.
da tabbies o trout towne says
guys…thiz iz a total lee awesum post…high paws N headbonks ♥♥♥♥♥
Cathy Armato says
Fantastic post, and great way to fill a strong need! Pet’s shouldn’t have to suffer or be surrendered to a shelter when a parent falls ill or dies. People can step in to help!
Emma and Buster says
what a great idea.
Summer says
My human’s dad is a hospice patient, and his cat is very important to him. She’s there for him all the time, even when my human and her dad’s other relatives can’t be there.
Brian Frum says
That really is a blessing to both the human and the critter.
The Swiss Cats says
It’s not funny to think about it, but the subject is very impawtant ; we never thought about helping hospice patients by this way. Great post. Purrs
Connie says
beautiful post..
Dezi and Lexi says
Dat’s so pawsum. Glad more and more peeps awe gettin’ on da bandwagon.
Luv ya’
Dezi and Lexi
Kitties Blue says
Such an excellent post Julie. Joan’s situation really brought to light the need for such programs and help from those of us who advocate for animals. Dorian and the others who have been helping Joan and Isis and angels! Thanks for this post and thanks for the most adorable tore photo as well. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
Raven says
To have peace of mind about the health and safety of a beloved pet when approaching the end of life is so important. I’m glad that hospice groups are thinking about this for their clients.
Pawesome Cats says
Being able to keep their pets with them is the best thing we can do for hospice patients – thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
Sweet Purrfectionss says
The story of Joan and Isis is so touching, but is also sad. We’re so glad Isis is helping Joan during her last few months and that Isis will have a new forever home.
KimT says
What a fantastic idea – and timely, too, as our population continues to age! We need to do all we can to help promote these agencies, and to volunteer when we can. Awesome!
And thank heavens Isis is in good hands…
Thank you for blogging the change for animals,
KimT
BtC4Animals.com
jmuhj says
It’s important to remember that, in most of the world, it’s not only older people who get ill and pass away! Even here, people of all ages have this as a reality if they are incurably ill. So it’s important for everyone to make plans for their beloved cats and ensure, to the best of their ability, that their feline family members will be provided for and loved in the event of their caregivers’ passing. A good attorney well versed in animal law can help with this.
RedSetter says
So, so important especially as we all get older or ill and may not have family left who can or want to take care of a grieving animal.
Glogirly and Katie says
Joan, Isis and Dorian have inspired us and so many others. How wonderful that more and more organizations are establishing “pet peace of mind” programs. It’s an incredibly meaningful way to help those who find themselves in such impossible circumstances.
xo
Clooney says
This is such a touching story and a very important post.
Kim Clune says
What an amazing story and a tremendous idea. I love that Dorian picked up the reigns with Isis and that hospices are now considering the emotional comfort of people and their pets as well as their human connections. To honor the love connection to the end is what we would all wish for.
Thank you so much for sharing and for blogging the change!