Life is better with pets
From wagging tails waiting at the front door to cats curled up on your favourite chair, pets make your house feel like a home.
At McCarthy & Stone, we believe that our furry, fluffy, feathery – and even scaly – friends make life better, so with a few rules – outlined here in our pet policy – we welcome them into almost all our developments.
It’s no wonder pets are popular
According to UK Pet Food’s annual survey 2026, the nation’s love of domestic animals has continued to rise with 62% of households owning one of the country’s 36.5 million pets.
| Puppy love | 41% households have a dog |
| Cool for cats | 31% households have a cat |
| Who’s a pretty boy then? | 2.7% households have indoor birds |
| A bit fishy | 7 million households have fish tanks |
| Slippery characters | 600K households have pet snakes |
It’s no wonder 84 people recently asked "Can my pet come too?” via our website, making it one of our most popular frequently asked questions! Discover the best dogs for retirement.
Pets make great neighbours
Pets often become a key part their communities too. They have a habit of bringing people together. A morning dog walk often leads to a friendly chat – and a curious house cat will charm its guests. Read about how Cody and Frisby have got on with the homeowners at Bluebell Place.
Pets are good for us
We’ve seen for ourselves the positive benefits pets bring – and research backs this up. A study at Cambridge University found that owning a pet can reduce minor health concerns – like coughs and colds – in just a month.
Pets can help us:
- feel less lonely
- stay active through daily walks and routine
- reduce stress and be healthier
- meet new people and start conversations
- enjoy greater emotional wellbeing.
Whether it's a dog encouraging you out for a stroll or a cat leaping into your lap for a cuddle, pets have a remarkable way of brightening your day.
Celebrate your pets
If you’re looking for another excuse to treat your perfect pet – as if you need one – you might want to mark their annual special days (see below). Why not buy them a toy or tasty snack, give them extra cuddles or share your pictures online?
Annual dates to look out for:
- Love your pet day - 20th February
- International cat day - 8th August
- National dog day - 26th August
- National black cat day - falls just before Halloween
Three reasons pets love retirement living too
- Pups will love that there’s plenty of green space nearby for walkies
- There are always lots of friendly faces ready to say hello and make a fuss
- Apartments are full of sunny spots and cosy nooks for snoozes
Some developments even offer Lifestyle Services to help take care of them.
A community that caters to everyone
We love pets, but not everyone does. That's why we have sensible rules in place to make sure everyone enjoys their environment equally. Pet owners are responsible for making sure their animals are: well behaved, quiet, don't cause a nuisance and don’t make a mess. It's all part of being a good neighbour.
The result? Pets are welcome but everyone can enjoy their home.
Thinking about moving in with your pet?
We're happy to help. Our team can explain how our pet policy works and answer any questions you have about your chosen development.
Because finding the right retirement home for you and your pet should be a walk in the park...
Contact our friendly team online or call: 0800 201 4811
