IT is widely acknowledged that a pet can have positive benefits on wellbeing, especially with owners who are elderly or have a disability.

For many older people living on their own, their pet is a reason to get up in the morning. They are loyal, protective companions, and help to provide a stable routine.

But what happens to a pet once its owner falls ill, dies or moves to residential accommodation, and there's nobody else to take the animal on?

The Cinnamon Trust is the only charity specialising in relieving anxieties faced by elderly, disabled and terminally ill people with pets. A network of volunteers help owners look after their pets and in the event of a death, the charity re-homes pets, alleviating much human grief and animal suffering.

The Trust,which counts Sir Paul McCartney and actress Virginia McKenna among its patrons, was founded in 1985 by Averil Jarvis whose corgi, Cinnamon, died in her 17th year. Named after her beloved pet, the Trust was set up with the objective of respecting and preserving the relationship between people and their pets. A national network of 15,000 volunteers provides practical help with daily care, such as dog walking for a housebound owner.

The charity also runs a fostering service for people in hospital and, in cases where owners are terminally ill or move to a nursing home, arrangements are made in advance with the Trust to ensure their pets have a future home, giving them peace of mind.

When a pet is in the Trust’s care, temporarily or longterm, the owner retains contact through visits, correspondence and photographs.

"We seek to keep owner and pet together for as long as possible, with the help of volunteers who assist when day-to-day care poses a problem," says Sally Collins of the Cinnamon Trust. "Our aim is to relieve owners of worries concerning the welfare of their pets, during and after their own lifetime.

"Volunteers help in ways appropriate to them. They take it in turn to visit housebound owners and help with jobs like walking dogs, trips to the vet, fetching cat food and cleaning out bird cages. Volunteers also foster pets in their homes when owners are in hospital."

She adds: "Many owners profile their pets with us in case they pre-decease them or have to go into care. The pet comes into the Trust's care then is re-homed with one of our volunteers. They remain under the guardianship of the Trust and we pay vets' bills and provide holiday cover.

"If a pet is unwell or very old, or several pets need to be re-homed together, they go to one of our two sanctuaries. They're not kennels - the dogs have settees and mattresses, a TV, and grounds to exercise in, with devoted staff looking after them, and the cats' quarters are equally lovely.

"We're not a re-homing charity - our ethos is to keep pet and owner together - but to give owners peace of mind, by prior arrangement we will agree to take them."

The charity is appealing for more volunteers in the Bradford district, and particularly needs dog walkers.

Louise Kelly of Thornton walks Charlie, a west highland terrier, twice a week. Six-year-old Charlie belongs to an elderly couple in Wibsey who have disabilities and can no longer take him for walks.

"I go after work and take him out. Another volunteer visits at other times," says Louise. "The minute Charlie sees me he starts barking in excitement. It means such a lot to his owners, they're very grateful. They have health problems and can't take him out. He's more settled after a walk, it means a lot to them."

Louise heard about the Cinnamon Trust from a friend. "I have rescue dogs and have often thought 'If something happens to me, what happens to my dogs?'

"Volunteers spare whatever time they can, it's totally up to them. With two children and a fulltime job, a couple of walks a week is all I can manage but it makes a difference to Charlie's owners. One of my daughters comes with me, now she's doing dog walking for her Duke of Edinburgh award."

Having rescue dogs has made Louise painfully aware of the plight of dogs whose owners can no longer look after them. "Dogs arrive at rescue centres totally stunned. They've been cared for by a loving owner, then suddenly they're alone in a pen. It's heartbreaking," she says.

* For more about the Cinnamon Trust call Sally Collins on 01736 758707 or email sallycollins@cinnamon.org.uk

To enquire about volunteering, visit cinnamon.org.uk or email volunteer@cinnamon.org.uk