A new chrity in Dunedin aims to keep elderly or infirm people and their pets together.
Pet Guardian Network is the brainchild of Dunedin woman Laura McNeil and will have a network of volunteers to help people with feeding pets, dog care and walking.
The organisation will also offer emergency foster care when owners are unable to provide a suitable home for a pet and adoptions to rehome pets whose owners have died.
Miss McNeil said she came up with the idea for the network after having taken in the dogs of an elderly man who was suddenly admitted to hospital.
"His dogs were home alone and they didn't really have anyone to look after them because he didn't have any family or any friends in Dunedin,'' she said.
"I took them in and helped him out there.''
Miss McNeil contacted several health organisations and talked to some vets, who confirmed the problem of infirm people being unable to take care of their pets was widespread.
"The feedback generally was, from the home-based help side of things, they did notice that elderly people couldn't walk their dogs and [the dogs] were overweight.''
She said it was important to help people keep their pets because of the companionship and comfort animals offered them.
Twenty people had registered their interest in serving as either a volunteer foster carer, walker or pet feeder.
For more information visit the website www.petguardiannetwork.com.
