Emil the cat thrives together with foster mother Grethe Bjørklund in the new care home at Nes in Ringsaker. – He is my kid. I enjoy myself so much with my kitty, says Grethe. But this story could have ended very differently. Grethe and her husband Finn had already moved in when they discovered that it was forbidden to have pets. – It was a shock. Nobody said anything about this when we went through the contract, even though they knew we had a cat. SHOCK: Grethe was surprised when she went through the contract and discovered that pets were not allowed. Photo: Elin Fossum / news Asked for a new assessment The couple thought the home was located in such a way that it was suitable for pets. But the municipality still said no. Euthanizing Emil was completely out of the question, he was therefore placed in a cat boarding house. But Bente and the man did not want to give up, the miss for the cat was too great. The two told their story to Ringsaker Blad, at the same time they sent a new application to the municipality, where they asked for a new assessment. – The cat is our life and our family. And we had to make sure that he wasn’t a nuisance to anyone, says Grethe. COZY: Cuddling with the cat Emil gives Grethe great joy. Photo: Elin Fossum / news Norway is divided down the middle It can be experienced as difficult to have to move from one’s own home into a care home or a nursing home. And for those who have pets, but who are not allowed to take them with them, this adjustment can be extra heavy. news has asked all municipalities in Norway whether they allow pets in care homes, around 300 have responded. In half of the municipalities that responded to the survey, the answer is no, in the other half it is open to this, often after an assessment: Several of the municipalities that answered no say they are considering allowing those who already have pets to take them with them when they move into care homes. – We assess in each individual case where applicable whether the tenant is able to look after the pet. If they live in a shared flat, we must also assess whether it is possible in relation to other residents. There may be residents who are allergic, says Siv Nilsen, municipal manager in Herøy municipality. – Pets are important for mental health May Britt Jensen, municipal director in Utsira, Norway’s smallest municipality in terms of population, says the municipality will go to great lengths if this becomes a topic. – For example, we have two families from Ukraine with a dog and a cat who were with them on the escape from Mariopol and who live in municipally owned apartments. Pets are important for mental health, says Jensen. Several municipalities that have a ban say they are considering opening up so that those who already have pets can take them with them when they move in. While other municipalities believe that considerations for other residents, such as allergies and fear of animals, mean that they cannot allow this. – Allergies cannot be opted out and the users would then have been isolated in their apartments, says Mette D. Hamre, unit manager in Arendal municipality. Hamre says that some also have an expectation that they will get help to, for example, walk the dog, but that they do not have the resources to do so. The municipality turned But for Grethe and the cat Emil, the story had a happy ending. A week after the last application, the municipality announced that Pus could still come home. – This meant the whole world. My dear kitty, says a light-hearted mother. HOME: Both Grethe and Emil can now settle down in the new care home. Photo: Elin Fossum / news Håvard Haug is the municipal manager in their home municipality, Ringsaker municipality. He confirms that, in principle, pets are not allowed in care homes in the municipality. – In individual cases, we can make an individual assessment, in any case we have to weigh this up against other residents and other needs, says Haug. ASSESSES: Municipal manager in Ringsaker municipality, Håvard Haug, says allergies in other residents and employees is the main reason why they say no to pets in care homes. Photo: Elin Fossum / news Grethe is grateful that Emil got a second chance, but she understands that it can be difficult to allow pets in some care homes. – In any case, I think that the municipality should make an assessment in each individual case. I encourage everyone not to give up, but to try, says Grethe.
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Ringsaker municipality turned around, Grethe Bjørklund is allowed to have a kitty in the care home – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
