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Toby and Tucker were close feline friends. The sign over their cage at the shelter read "DO NOT SEPARATE, MUST GO TOGETHER!" Their affection for one another ran so deep, one couldn't survive without the other. And so it is with senior citizens and their pets. "DO NOT SEPARATE, MUST GO TOGETHER" certainly should apply to them also.

When seniors are faced with the need to change their living arrangements, being allowed to keep their pet is a matter of serious consideration. As it is, they have already suffered many losses with friends and family members passing on. Their pet could be the only friend they have left in the world. Making their new home as much like their old home as possible is what makes the move successful, and that means having their pet in tow.

Of course, keeping a pet means first finding a pet-friendly place to call your home. Nationally, many assisted living communities and nursing homes are realizing the benefits that come with being pet-friendly. Locally, assisted living centers Canterbury Woods and Christopher Heights and rehabilitation and nursing center Golden Living Center-Garden Place, all in Attleboro, are three places following this trend.

After meeting with Canterbury Woods Community Relations Director Colleen Everett and Memory Care Unit Director Barbara Harrison, I concluded that this is a place that goes the extra mile to ensure that their residents and pets are content. Since opening their doors 11 years ago, they have always been pet-friendly. Out of 146 residents, 12 have cats and two have dogs.

Pets have to be current on their shots and residents have to be able to take care of them. A vet occasionally makes house calls; staff members visit pet owners daily to make sure pets are being properly cared for; the general store is always stocked with pet food; and if a resident can no longer care for their pet, the staff tries to place the animal with another resident. Colleen has offered to post flyers of older cats at area shelters that need a home. At present, Whittie from 9 Lives of Norton is being showcased on bulletin boards. Residents Ethel VerGow and Gail Alix both told me they would never have moved to Canterbury Woods if their cats could not come along with them. Ethel has one cat named Howie. She told me that other residents stop by often to visit him and, as a result, her circle of friends has grown. Gail has two cats, Amy and Harvey.

The staff at Canterbury Woods appears eager to go beyond the call of duty when it comes to being pet-friendly. During a recent visit there, I saw Colleen pick up a Chihuahua mix dog named Jake at dinnertime so his owner, Elena Delano, could enjoy her meal in peace. Residents and staff members seem to all be part of a family unit, and Colleen says there haven't been any complaints over the presence of pets.

Christopher Heights has always been pet-friendly. They view children, grandchildren and pets as an extension of the resident's family and treat them all respectfully. Out of 84 residents, three own cats. The felines must be kept in the resident's apartment or on a leash inside the building, and residents are responsible for the care of their cat. Valerie Dennehy, the executive director, summed up their philosophy by saying, "Moving into Christopher Heights simply means that life continues."

Golden Living Center-Garden Place currently allows pets to visit but not live with residents, but that is about to change. On Oct. 31, a cat named Delilah will be moving in to brighten the lives of residents. Brian Brown, the executive director, said he witnessed many times how residents would light up like a Christmas tree when pets would visit, and knew how they longed for the company of their pets. He also knew that pets could bring about shorter rehabilitation stays, not to mention enhance quality of life. With all that in mind, a plan was put in place to welcome pets to Golden Living.

At present, cat and dog referrals for short-term stay admissions are being accepted. The center's quality assurance committee will review each referral to ensure their ability to properly care for the pet, maintain a safe environment for residents, and be sure the pet is current with its shots and other health concerns have been met.

While I am not ready just yet to join the elderly community, I am relieved to know that when the time comes, there will be a place that understands that my pet and I cannot be separated. We must go together.

LINDA FABER is a volunteer at the North Attleboro Animal Shelter. She welcomes your comments and can be reached at Faberfamily@juno.com.