Enjoy quality time with the grandkids at our retirement villages
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A retirement you and your pet will love - our Pet Policy explained
Tuesday, 29 April 2025
Can't imagine retirement without your best friend in tow? Good news - most of our villages are pet friendly!*
One of the most common questions we're asked is, “Can I bring my pet to a retirement village?” There’s a big misconception that retirement villages and pets don’t mix. The truth is in most of our villages, they do!
With 69% of Aussie households owning a pet, it’s no surprise that for many, pets aren’t just adorable sidekicks - they’re family. That’s why plenty of Keyton retirement villages welcome furry friends, with walking trails nearby, pet friendly spaces and even paw-some special events!
Whether it’s a loyal pup who’s been your shadow for years, a sweet cat who thinks they run the show (let’s be honest, they probably do) or a few happy little goldfish, we all know pets bring joy, companionship and a whole lot of love to our lives. So if your pet is part of your dream retirement plan, chances are they can come along for the ride!
Like any well run community, we have a few steps in place to make sure everyone - human and pet alike - settles in happily. Because a great neighbourhood is one where both people and pets feel safe, welcome and right at home.
Explore in this blog article:
Looking for a pet friendly retirement village?
If you're thinking about retirement living and want to bring your pet along, you'll be glad to know that many of our villages are pet friendly. While most (but not all) welcome furry companions, each pet does need to be approved by the village manager before moving in - just to make sure they're the right fit.
We know how important it is to have your best mate by your side. Just ask Alan, who moved to Sherwin Rise with his loyal Labrador, Rosy. He wanted a place where they could enjoy more space, a welcoming community and plenty of room to explore together. Read more about Alan and Rosy's story here.
Alan and his Labrador lady Rosy (middle) enjoying a friendly stroll through Sherwin Rise with neighbours
Our pet friendly villages go the extra mile to create welcoming spaces for you and your best friend.
Take Woodlands Park in Victoria, for example: when village manager Jennifer realised how many residents had dogs, she thought, why not create a dedicated space for them? The result? Woofland’s Bark: a once-quiet garden that’s now a lively spot for dogs and their owners. Even residents without pets stop by to enjoy the company (and sneak in a few pats). It’s also become a real community hub, where neighbours help each other out - from pet-sitting while someone’s away to lending a hand when needed. And then there’s Bernborough Ascot, where a casual coffee chat led to ‘Pawgust’: a morning tea for residents and their doggos to get to know each other. It was such a hit that people are already asking for it to become a regular event - because any excuse for coffee, cake and puppy cuddles is a good one!
Residents of Woodlands Park enjoying the new garden spot for their furry friends
How to move into a Keyton village with your pet
Step 1: Have a chat first
Before you start packing up the chew toys, scratching post or birdcage, have a quick chat with the Sales Manager at the village you’re interested in. While most Keyton villages welcome pets, some may have restrictions, so it’s always best to check first!
Step 2: Submit a pet request
Once you've found your perfect village, it’s time to put your pet request in writing. This helps us ensure everything is set for a smooth, stress free move. Be sure to include all the key details - like your pet’s size and breed - so we can get things sorted quickly!
Step 3: Village Manager review
Your request goes to the Village Manager, who will review it and provide a written response.
Step 4: The pet agreement
If your pet gets the green light, you’ll need to complete and sign a pet agreement. It’s a simple document that outlines a few commonsense conditions - things like keeping your pet under control in communal areas, ensuring they’re well cared for and making sure they play nice with their new neighbours.
Step 5: Record keeping
Once everything’s signed, we’ll pop your agreement into your resident file and update the Pet Ownership Register.
Thinking of welcoming a pet? Here's what to know
Pet friendly retirement living
Most of our retirement villages are pet friendly, meaning you and your furry friend can settle in and enjoy this next chapter together. Check out some real life stories from our pet friendly villages.
Retirement is all about embracing the good life and what better way to do that than with a loyal companion by your side!
*The information provided in this article is only intended to provide a summary and general overview for prospective purchasers of our pets policy. It is not intended to be comprehensive nor is it specific to village you are considering purchasing a property in. The information provided is general in nature and is not specific to you. Whilst all care has been taken to provide accurate information. Prospective purchasers should check with Keyton staff on whether the village they are interested in purchasing a property in allows pets, before acting or relying on any of this general information.
For more information about the lifestyle and support offered at our retirement villages, call our customer service team on 1800 550 550 or send us an email here.
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