Abstract:

A survey questionnaire based on a functionalist-evolutionary perspective was administered to 59 elderly people residing independently or in communal housing in New Orleans, La, exploring relationships among personal characteristics, well-being, & characteristics of the home environment to understand their role in respondents' (Rs') preference for involvement or noninvolvement with animals. The data reveal that Rs try to maintain indirect, yet sustained, involvement with animals to replace the direct contact with them they experienced earlier in life. Preference for involvement is predicted by age, visual acuity, physical mobility, type of residence, & perceived adequacy of support space for pets indoors. It is concluded that more effort should be made to facilitate elderly persons' interaction with pets.