Pima Animal Care Center in Arizona decided to partner with elderly care facility, called Catalina Springs Memory Care, to save both orphaned newborn kittens and elderly people.

This initiative was success for elderly and kittens

The initiative proved to be a success, as the overall condition of both the kittens and the elderly has improved. Indeed, the elders were asked to take care of two newborn cats, named “Turtle” and “Peaches”, and both of the kittens have doubled in weight.

The idea was the genius move of Rebecca Hamilton, Catalina Springs’ health service director, who also fosters kittens herself. Approaching the Pima Animal Care Center, she thought that teaming up the needy kittens with the residents of the care home could serve two purposes, helping the kittens stay alive and giving the residents something to care for.

Read more: Retirement home pensioners adopt feathered friends

The joy that the elderly get from bottle feeding, socializing, and cuddling needy newborns is immense

“The kittens have given us the opportunity to nurture this human condition that lies in each and every one of our residents,” says Sharon Mercer, Catalina Springs Memory Care Executive Director.

The joy that the elderly get from bottle feeding, socializing, and cuddling needy newborns is immense – and the kittens feel grateful too.

“To some it may seem peculiar at first: Residents who are in need of around-the-clock care themselves, given the task to care for these young kittens,” Sharon Mercer said.

“But there are skills, emotions and needs that do not just leave a person with Dementia or Alzheimer’s. The desire to give love and receive love remains. The kittens have given us the opportunity to nurture this human condition that lies in each and every one of our residents.”

In France for example, companies as Farmili also propose to care homes to host feathered and fur pets for their pensioners.