Urgent: what happens to a person's pet if they get rushed to hospital?

[Anewoneforme]

Anyone know? Do the police or RSPCA need to be informed?

I AM the relative though. No the hospital don't have the key apparently it wasn't on her?!

How do I get a locksmith out on my relatives flat though? Surely you have to have some sort of proof of address?

Does she have a landlord or own the house? Where was she when she was rushed to hospital?

Possibly one of her neighbours might have a key - I know my mum leaves one with hers and they feed her cats when she is on holiday.

Is this a case where calling 111 would be useful?

What would the NHS do about it sandwich?

Op so sorry for your loss. If your relative was admitted by smbulance from home then the paramedics should have secured the property and there should be some record of what happened to the keys.

You probably wouldn't get into any trouble for getting a locksmith out on animal welfare grounds, it's unlikely anyone would stop you.

Ooops sorry I meant non emergency police?

Oh and thecatneuterer you are sort of correct, whilst the local authority does have responsibility to ensure the pets of anyone taken into hospital etc are taken care of there us nothing in the Care Act that says they have to do it for free.

If the owners can't come up with an alternative arrangement (friends/family etc) what we usually do is get consent from the owner for them to go into a shelter on the understanding that the owner will be charged for this. Depending on local areas some charities may also provide a free service on a short term basis.

I worked with a lovely social worker who once took someone’s parrot to live with her whilst the client was in hospital.

OP I’m so sorry to see your update, I should have read the thread.

Is there anything in the property which would link to you? Or ask them to help you gain entry to rescue cat and resecure it until you get death certificate.

The RSPCA can get the police to break in to a house that has animals inside. That's how my rescue cat ended up in the shelter with his four companions.

Thanks for all the advice. I'm sorry but I'm going to bed now. Exhausted

I'm sorry to hear about your relative
Personally I have my cat sitter's number in my phone, and if conscious and even slightly capable would text her. I was admitted a couple of years ago and said cat sitter couldn't get in as handyman happened to go round to do a job and double locked the door which I never do so hadn't given cat-sitter the extra key. I was so distressed as cat would be wondering where I had gone anyway and isn't used to being left alone for long, it was much more about the company and Madam BrokenCat's mental state than food, as lovely cat-sitter overfeeds, and cats will survive a while without food anyway as they are predators. Handyman returned to unlock the next day after I tore a strip off him. The nurses were totally uninterested, though, which really upset me.
I would call the RSPCA or LA in your situation OP. Have I understood correctly that your relative didn't have their keys on them? Is there anyone who might have spares? Or a way in such as a window? Locksmiths might be worth a try. Tcn is right, the LA do have a duty to ensure pets are cared for.

Just reporting back as I am so so impressed with both the ambulance service and SS.
A social worker has just rung me to ask if I was aware of the cat as the paramedics were concerned that a cat was being left in the flat. She told me they had a duty of care to ensure animals were not left and could I assure her I would get the animal looked after.
So PPs above, you were right. And how good were the paramedics, with everything else going on, to think about the cat and report it!

There are many many things wrong with health and social care these days but you are right OP I've always found that communication from the ambulance service about these sorts of things is usually pretty good.

They have a checklist/form that they fill in stating how the property has been secured and any risks/concerns like pets.

On that note did the keys ever turn up?

Nope no keys but managed to track down the landlord. Cat located and safe.

Good news OP.

I won't go into hospital because there is no one to look after my precious fur baby I won't leave her alone my kids have big jobs ones a head of year nine and the other one moved to London as he graduated and got his dream job I would like to know if there is any where she can go I live in manchester

Try contacting the Cinnamon Trust @Rekosmithy cinnamon.org.uk/