THE RSPCA is urging more elderly people in the North-East to consider owning a pet.

The charity believes many older people are put off having a pet because they are worried about what might happen when they die - even though an RSPCA scheme exists to find a new home for pets.

The 'Home For Life' service (www.homeforlife.org.uk), is designed to give owners peace of mind about their pets should they pass away.

The free service asks owners to register with the Home For Life Scheme and preferably update their will to care for their pets if they hadn't made alternative arrangements for their care already. The RSPCA pledges to do all it can to find a new home for these animals.

"Registering for 'Home For Life' removes the stress and worry about asking a family member to re-home a pet." say's Jo Curtis from the RSPCA.

"We know that many people would love a pet as a companion in later life and hope that the 'Home For Life' service will encourage many more to take on a pet safe in the knowledge that the RSPCA is there to help," say's Jo Curtis.

"The RSPCA is also an excellent place for older people to come to find their new pet, especially if they are able to look after a more mature pet."

"The positive health benefits of pet ownership are well-documented and are extremely pertinent to older people," according to GP Dr Catherine Ragan. "Dog walking in particular, not only provides vital exercise, but also widens a person's social networks and interaction,"

"From a medical point of view, people with dogs or cats have also been found to have lower blood pressure, heart rates and reduced cholesterol than those without."