Moving to a retirement village can open the door to a new stage of your life that’s rich in opportunity. However, if you have pets, you may be concerned what this means for them and wondering, can you have pets in retirement villages?

Naturally, you want to share this journey with your beloved furry friend and at Ryman, you’re welcome to bring your pet if they are suitable. 

Once your pet’s been approved, it’s just a matter of managing their move.  

Dogs and cats are creatures of habit and moving house can be stressful for them. However, with patience and a few clever strategies, you can make this next stage of your lives together easier on them.  

Here’s how to make your move as seamless as possible:

It's helpful to prepare your pets for the move to the retirement village in advance. You can help ease the transition by introducing them to some packing items and their new home before the move.

Packing items

Gradually familiarise them with items such as empty moving boxes and animal crates by leaving them in prominent positions around the house. This can help them feel less anxious when these new objects come out during the move.

Introducing them to their new home and the surrounding area

If you have a dog, try to take them for a short walk around their new suburb and home prior to moving if possible. Let them explore and become familiar with the space.

Update their registration and microchip

If applicable, another important thing to remember is to get your pet’s registration and microchip information updated with your new address and contact information.

Moving day is full of hustle and bustle, so it's a good idea to have your pet stay with a friend or relative for the day. If this isn't an option, you could also keep them in a quiet room away from the main activity. This should reduce stress and the risk of them escaping.

Stay consistent with routine, such as feeding times and walking schedules both during and after the move.

Once you have moved your pet to the new home, bring along some special treats for them to enjoy there. This helps ease their anxiety and build a positive connection to the new environment. Try hiding treats around their new space to discover and keep them busy. 

Once everything has been moved, slowly introduce your pet to its new surroundings by: 

• Setting up a designated space with your pet’s belongings such as their bed, toys, and blankets. This provides them with comfort and security in the familiar.
• Avoiding freshly washing their bed or blankets. This is because their scent on these is a big source of comfort.
• Introducing them to their new surroundings one room at a time so the space feels less daunting. 

It’s recommended to avoid giving cats access to the outdoors for at least two weeks because they might try to wander back to their old home and surroundings. Cats typically adjust to their new surroundings after a fortnight, although every cat is different.

Be sure to check your new home is fully fenced without any hidden gaps before letting them explore the outdoors. Allow them to sniff around the community spaces to get familiar with all the new sounds and smells. 

Keeping these tips in mind for the four-legged member of your family can help them settle into the retirement village quickly and make a lot of new friends to fuss over them. 

Reach out to our friendly team to find out more about how we can support you and your pet’s move to one of our pet-friendly retirement villages by clicking here to get in touch.