Australia may be a nation of animal lovers, but new research from Companion Animal Network Australia’s (Australia CAN or CANA) 2025 Pet Friendly Aged Care Survey shows most aged care facilities still don’t allow residents to keep their pets, even though 96 per cent of Australians believe they should be able to.
“The emotional harm of being forced to give up a beloved animal is profound. Older Australians shouldn’t have to choose between care and companionship,” says Trish Ennis, CEO of CANA, a national animal welfare charity and advocacy group representing animal welfare member groups across the country.
CANA’s latest survey attracted 2,846 responses — more than double the number from 2023’s survey* — yet the results remain strikingly similar to previous years. Similarly to the last survey, the 2025 survey reveals 78 per cent of respondents believe that pets improve mental and physical health in aged care settings.
“Despite 86 per cent of Australians saying pets in aged care are ‘vitally important’, external data indicates that only 18 per cent of facilities allow pets**,says Ms Ennis. “From our survey, half of all facilities rated themselves low on pet-friendliness, and 23 per cent have formal pet policies in place.”
At the same time, 96 per cent of Australians believe residents in aged care should be able to have pets, suggesting a widening gap between public attitudes and the realities of aged care policy and practice.
“Both facilities and residents understand how important pets are to health and happiness, but the sector still struggles to turn thatunderstanding into action,” says Ms Ennis.
In-Home Aged Care – Support Still Falling Short
Like in the 2023 survey, the 2025 survey also found companionshipand reduced loneliness are the most highly valued benefits of pet ownership among those surveyed.
However, older adults living at home continue to face major barriers to keeping their pets. Many rely on government-funded Home CarePackages*** (HCPs) but receive little to no assistance with pet care tasks such as walking, grooming or transport to the vet, according to survey results.
“Of the 325 respondents receiving in-home care, only 9 per cent arereceiving pet care services from their current aged care package provider,” says Ms Ennis.
The most requested services are: emergency fostering (91 per cent); support with walking (64 per cent) and help taking a pet to the vet (59 per cent). Concerningly 22 per cent said they have delayed personal medical care because they do not have anyone to look after their pet.
“The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and HCPshould include provisions for pet care to help people stay healthy and at home for longer and help to prevent animals from being euthanisedor surrendered to shelters,” she concludes.
Barriers and Opportunities
According to the survey, aged care providers cite a lack of education (45 per cent), resources (42 per cent) and funding for facility design changes (45 per cent) as major barriers to becoming pet-friendly.
“Education and understanding are key,” says Ms Ennis. “Facilities that welcome pets see happier residents, stronger family connections and greater community interest. It’s not just good welfare – It’s good business.”
Through its Pet Friendly Aged Care initiative, CANA provides resources, including sample policies, risk assessments and best-practice guidelines to help residential aged care providers and home care services manage pets safely and compassionately.
“As our population ages, keeping people and pets together is an essential part of maintaining both physical and mental health,” says MsEnnis. “The evidence is clear – pets are good for people. Now it’s time for aged care to catch up.”
* The 2023 Pet Friendly Aged Care Survey data is based on 1,130participants including older adults, aged care staff and the wider public.
** The most comprehensive report available on pet-friendly aged care facilities was done in 2018 by the Stafford Group. An online audit of 2,933 facilities found that only 18% allowed residents to keep a pet.
*** Home Care Packages (HCPs) will be renamed Support at Home program starting Nov 1, 2025, replacing both the HCP and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs.
