Paws With Friends - Supporting Older People and Pets

06/04/2026

One of our Clients Phil and his dog Tyson featured on Sophie's Legacy social page for their Little things campaign highlighting the amazing work our parent organisation Safe Pets Safe Families - Keeping people & pets together does in the Veterinary space including the SPSF Community Vet Van

06/04/2026

Beyond the walk

We don’t just walk dogs. 🐾

We visit. We listen. We bring peace of mind when someone needs to go to hospital.

And if the day comes when they move to a nursing home, we find a loving forever foster home, but we still organise visits and outings so they can stay connected.

Because family comes in all forms. ❤️

**we only find a forever foster when there are no family or friends willing to take on the pet or at a persons wishes

06/04/2026

Meet Lorraine & Lily. At 88, Lorraine can't keep up with Lily's Zoomies anymore, but she cant imagine life without her. Thats where our Paws With Friends volunteers step in. We walk, we visit, we care. Because love shouldn’t fade with age.

Help us keep people and pets together, become a volunteer dog walker today.

https://safepetssafefamilies.org.au/volunteer-form/

17/05/2025

Do you have a kind heart and a bit of spare time?

Our Paws with Friends Program is looking for dog lovers to help elderly community members keep their beloved pets happy and healthy. You'll help walk dogs, build friendships, and bring a little joy into someone's day.

Because sometimes, it's not just about walking dogs, it's about walking alongside people who need support.

Volunteer with us today - flexible, local and rewarding!
https://safepetssafefamilies.org.au/volunteer-form/

If you have any questions, you can email [email protected] and talk to our volunteer coordinator Carrie.

08/12/2024

A recent desperate call for pet food saw a lovely lady save her scarce pension dollars and donate 2 bags of dog biscuits. She doesn't drive, so reached out to see if we could collect the donation from her. To our surprise and delight, it was previous foster client Janelle. Her gratitude for how the Safe Pets Foster Program helped her, Buster and Tilly a few years ago has not diminished over time. After working her whole life, then relocating to care for her elderly mother, Janelle had become homeless, so we brought these two love bugs into foster until a new home was found for them all.

Janelle still cares for mum who is 83 and has dementia, but has poor health herself and is awaiting hip surgery. This means Buster and Tilly don't get walked anymore and this has saddened Janelle immensely. Imagine her delight when our volunteer suggested linking her into our Paws With Friends program, where she can receive ongoing support from volunteers who will walk the dogs and provide some much needed social interaction for them all!!

Safe Pets Safe Families have programs that cater for the needs of people and their pets at all stages of the unpredictable journey that is life. When people are struggling and need support with their most treasured companions, we are there.

Right now, we are turning people away as we don't have sufficient funding to continue some of our programs. Things are a bit dire to be honest.!!

Safe Pets Safe Families needs your help to continue to provide these valuable services. Help fulfill "Our Christmas Wish" by making a tax-deductible donation at:

https://safe-pets-safe-families.mygiveeasy.com/our-wish/donate

03/12/2024

An elderly unwell mother saw Janelle sell the family home in regional SA and move to Adelaide. Having worked her whole life, and in real estate for many years, Janelle had no problem securing a rental for herself, her mum, and her two staffies, Buster and Tilly.

But at short notice, the home owner sold up and these lovely ladies found themselves in a motel with nowhere for the two fur babies. Through her housing gateway provider she was told of the Safe Pets Foster Program and so Buster and Tilly came into care.

Janelle says, "I remember receiving a beautiful photo of them, their first night in foster. They were happy as Larry, up on the bed and I thought "Oh goodness, they're being loved and spoiled and will never want to come back!". I was so grateful for the update and reassured they would be ok. I couldn't believe after a few weeks we were offered a doggy date visit with them and that kept us going. Even though the dogs were north and we were south, everyone was transported to spend some precious time together. I was so grateful."

After a few months Janelle secured another rental and she, mum, Buster and Tilly were reunited. Janelle has done wonders in the garden, improving the streetscape and her new landlords love her. Sadly during Covid, Janelle's health declined significantly and she has been unable to work since. She survives, looking after them all, on the pension and things are tough but she has never forgotten the help from Safe Pets Safe Families and to this day, donates pet food when she can.

Safe Pets Safe Families need your help to continue to provide these valuable services. Help fulfill "Our Christmas Wish" by making a tax-deductible donation at:

https://safe-pets-safe-families.mygiveeasy.com/our-wish/donate

01/11/2024

This video is so heart-warming, we are so grateful to have received the positive fellowship grant through the Office of Ageing Well to pilot this program.

Su-paw-ting older South Australians to care for their furry companions



An innovative pilot program that provided support to help older people care for their companion animals, has resulted in participants experiencing significantly improved physical and mental health, and reduce loneliness and social isolation.

Safe Pets Safe Families was awarded a $40,000 Positive Ageing Fellowship grant last year through the Office for Ageing Well, to run the Paws With Friends pilot.

The program, which ran over a 12-month period, offered tailored animal-focussed services delivered by volunteers, such as dog walking, vet trips, respite and grooming, alongside human services such as connection between the older person and volunteers.

More than 1,100 services were offered during the pilot, to support 12 women and five men, with their animal companions including dogs, cats and birds.

Of the 17 older people who participated, almost all had complex medical conditions, 12 had disability, three had experienced family breakdown, nine had reported feeling social isolated, four had been impacted by domestic and family violence, 10 experienced financial hardship and two were at risk of homelessness.

Paws with Friends remains in operation and is seeking further funding to sustain the resounding success of its first year. As much as possible, Safe Pets Safe Families utilises its dedicated volunteer pool – all outreach workers are volunteers - but there is a need for paid project coordination, including oversight of volunteer caseworkers. Program volunteers and clients have expressed that it is evident the program is not just there for the wellbeing of pets, it is for the wellbeing of older people too. Several clients have reported improvements in mental health and social connection, resulting in an even greater appreciation for the comfort brought by their pets, as well as a sense of being part of the community.

Client quotes taken from Paws with Friends pilot evaluation:

They obviously walk the dog, but then they have a chat about things as well. So, you know, it's not just they come in, say hi, walking your dog, brings the dog back, see you later. They sort of, you know, they will hang around and, you know, have a chat.

I can see it myself in the change in their behaviour... the dogs are much more settled at home. So that's a great relief and support for the dog owner.

And it's wonderful. It's just such a wonderful organisation because there have been times that I've nearly been on the brink of going into hospital and I used to think, "Oh my God, how am I going to look after the animals?" Because I've got two cats as well…. they take care of the dog and they feed the cats in that eventuality. So, I think it's wonderful.

Knowing [Project Coordinator]'s there and she always contacts me. If I send a message, it's pretty much within 24 hours that I get the message back or looking into it for you now.

It's the support. It's the fact that I know there are other people I can rely upon. If I feel helpless and unable to do something I know that they'll step in and help.

https://www.facebook.com/share/v/tpjgSs5CVj7JEHJW/

https://www.facebook.com/NatCookMP/videos/525198780399482/

05/10/2024

https://www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au/weekendplus/news/paws-with-friends-calls-for-volunteers

Play a meaningful role in supporting older people and pets.

02/09/2024

Helping animals and people together

While the animal focus of Paws with Friends was undeniably the most important element for clients and volunteers alike; both also commented on how well the program supported both animals and humans to the benefit of both. For clients, both the social connection and small acts of (human-directed) service made a significant impact on their wellbeing:

I'm so lucky. They’ll do something like bring my bin in. Little things like that. They all add up. But it's mainly just for the dog. It's the best thing. (Client 3)

Normally we often sit and chat for a while, that sort of thing. I think they check to make sure I'm okay with everything as well.
(Client 1)

They obviously walk the dog, but then they have a chat about things as well. So, you know, it's not just they come in, say hi, walking your dog, brings the dog back, see you later. They sort of, you know, they will hang around and, you know, have a chat
(Client 4)

[Client] loves going to the park with Ollie. They have a great time
together. And, yeah, I think it's just an overall positive experience. (Volunteer 9)

I feel like as much as it's there for the pet, it's definitely there for the people as well, just like the normal interactions that they typically miss out on. I guess, like specifically with Mary, who I go and see her family aren't really, like, close to her location-wise. So often she's having to, like, reach out to other people. Like I've helped her with a couple of
things around the house and other things as well that obviously she
would have to wait weeks for one of her family members to come and help with.
(Volunteer 9)

This program was made possible thanks to support from the Office of Ageing Well through a Positive Ageing fellowship grant.

*Data from Evaluation of a pilot project

02/09/2024

Play a Meaningful Role in Supporting Older People and Pets
In January this year, Weekend Plus published an article introducing Paws with Friends, a program brought to you by Safe Pets Safe Families, supporting older people and pets. https://www.seniorscard.sa.gov.au/weekendplus/news/critical-support-for-older-people-and-pets

Paws with Friends envisions a world with fewer limiting beliefs around pet ownership. They want older people to feel confident in their decision to enjoy a companion animal and assured that there will be support at times of need.

Clients of Paws with Friends are people aged 55+ who might require help with dog walking, vet care, vet transport, foster care, finding a pet suitable for their lifestyle, end of life planning, or some other pet-related matter.

Having recently completed its first year of operation, Paws with Friends is proving a resounding success. The team has received positive feedback from clients, grateful for the support provided and affirming of the need for services of this kind. Volunteers - the heart and soul of Paws with Friends – continue to report pleasure and reward as a result of their involvement. Without them, none of this would be possible.

Safe Pets Safe Families are putting a call-out to any readers who might be interested in volunteering for Paws with Friends. If you believe in the work that Paws with Friends is doing and feel you have something meaningful to contribute, they would love to hear from you.

Volunteers provide one-off services like assistance with vet visits or vet transports, as well as recurring services such as dog walking, animal grooming, and social connection. Some volunteers act as case workers, overseeing and coordinating the experience of individual program participants remotely. Whether in the community or from offices at home, every volunteer-led service contributes to supporting and maintaining the human animal bond and its many precious benefits.

Paws with Friends volunteers care about people and animals. Many play a meaningful role in the lives of older people living alone, so respect and kindness are a must. Whilst it is understood and expected that volunteers have their own lives, reliability is valued immensely, however big or small the commitment. Volunteers are responsible for reporting back, taking on feedback, and following direction; they are representatives of Safe Pets Safe Families and follow policy and procedure accordingly.

All volunteers will need to pass a clearance as part of their registration and will be invited to attend a volunteer induction in preparation for the work they do.

If you are keen to register as a volunteer or are curious to explore your options, you can make contact with the Safe Pets Safe Families volunteer coordinator, Carrie, on [email protected] or phone Mimi on 0434 419 480.