Keeping Best Friends Together: The Life-Changing Work of Stay Pet Services

<p>Stay Pet Services, a vital initiative run by SeniorCare, is dedicated to ensuring that seniors aged 60 and older across nine North Shore communities can keep their beloved pets at home.</p><p>Host Jim Unis sits down with program manager Jai Fields to highlight how this volunteer-led organization addresses a heartbreaking reality: many elders face the devastating possibility of surrendering their companions simply because they can no longer handle daily pet care or afford rising veterinary costs. By offering essential assistance such as dog walking, cat care, vet transportation, and financial aid for medical procedures, the program acts as a crucial safety net. Notably, Fields shares how the service even impacts human healthcare, as some seniors actively delay their own hospital stays out of fear that no one will be there to care for their four-legged family members.</p><p>The heart of the program relies entirely on its dedicated network of volunteers, who handle everything from routine tasks like scooping litter for homebound residents to coordinating major veterinary surgeries. To sustain these life-changing services, the organization actively promotes fundraising events like their recent &quot;Pins for Pets&quot; bowling fundraiser and continuously seeks new volunteers aged 18 and older. Ultimately, the conversation underscores that pets are a primary defense against senior isolation; by alleviating the physical and financial burdens of pet ownership, Stay Pet Services preserves a deep emotional bond that keeps both seniors and their best friends healthier and happier together.</p><p><em>Please Note: The &quot;Pins for Pets&quot; fundraising event mentioned in this video has already taken place. While this specific event is over, you can still make a meaningful difference for local seniors and their companions by donating directly to SeniorCare at seniorcareinc.org or by calling 978-865-3518 to learn about future volunteer opportunities.</em></p><p>• Website: https://staypetservices.org </p><p>• Facebook: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/STAYPetServices/ " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.facebook.com/STAYPetServices/ </a></p><p>• Instagram: <a href="https://www.instagram.com/staypetservices/ " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer">https://www.instagram.com/staypetservices/ </a></p><p>Presented by: Greater Cape Ann Chamber of Commerce, <a href="https://capeannchamber.com " target="_blank" rel="ugc noopener noreferrer"