Local pet owners encouraged to enter Stroud care home competition

Home news

Mar 08, 2021

A care home in Stroud is calling for local pet owners to enter its barking mad competition.

Care UK’s Scarlet House, on Westward Road, is set to host its first-ever virtual ‘Purrfect Pets’ competition – all for a good cause.     

As part of the contest, locals are invited to showcase their pets’ skills and good looks in one or more of the eight possible categories: ‘Cutest pet’, ‘Best trick’ (in video), ‘Best pet under one year old’, ‘Golden oldies’, ‘Best dog’, ‘Best cat’, ‘Best other pet’ and ‘Pet and Owner lookalike’.

To enter, pet owners must submit their pictures and videos via the Scarlet House’s Facebook page or by emailing the home’s Lifestyle Coordinator, Emily Shiers, by midday Thursday 18^th March and pay a £2 entry fee via the home’s Just Giving profile. The winners will be selected by a jury composed of Scarlet House residents and team members, and will be announced later that day, with the overall ‘Best in show’ winner crowned at a virtual Zoom ceremony on Friday 26^th March at 3pm.

The best three entries in each category will receive a special rosette and a certificate, while the ‘Best in show’ winner will be awarded a ‘Pets at Home’ voucher. All proceeds will go to the Pied Piper Appeal, a charity which supports ill and disabled children in Gloucestershire.

Vlad Nastasa, Home Manager at Scarlet House, said: “We’re excited to host the first ever ‘Purrfect Pet’ competition – we all love animals here at Scarlet House, and we’re looking forward to seeing our neighbours’ pets in action.

“We know just how beneficial animal therapy can be for older people, especially for those living with dementia, as being close to animals can help lift a person’s mood and stimulate social interaction. With current restrictions in place, a virtual pet competition seemed like the next best thing, and residents are thrilled to have the opportunity to be part of our judging panel.

“We’ve created a wide range of categories which we hope will allow a variety of animals to enter, from cats and dogs of all age to more uncommon pets like snakes and guinea pigs. This is set to be a fantastic competition, and it’s all for a good cause – so we’re encouraging anyone in Stroud or beyond to enter!”

For anyone unsure about how to join the virtual ceremony on Friday 26^th March, help is at hand. The team at Scarlet House will host the event using Zoom, an online meeting space. Simply call or email Customer Relations Manager, Katerina Pippi, and she will send a link to join the event and share her tips to make the most out of the session.

Scarlet House is a state-of-the-art care home and provides full-time residential, nursing, dementia care, as well as short-term respite care. The care home, which features 86 ensuite bedrooms, has been designed to enable its residents to live active and fulfilled lives, while also promoting independence. The care home incorporates space for hobby and leisure activities, and includes its own cinema, hair salon and café.

To enter the competition, please visit facebook.com/ScarletHouseCareHome or email emily.shiers@careuk.com

To find out more about Scarlet House, email Customer Relations Manager, Katerina Pippi, at katerina.pippi@careuk.com or call 0333 321 0932.

For more general information, visit careuk.com/scarlet-house