"I work in a care home for elderly pets - they can be grumpy and I'm always cleaning up accidents but I love it"

Meet the residents of a 'senior home' for elderly pets - where all the abandoned old pets get a home for life.<br /><br />House With a Heart is home to 13 cats and dogs and guinea pigs who have lost their families and homes - and are highly unlikely to find a new home due to their age and health.<br /><br />Instead they get a life-long home at the pet sanctuary in Gaithersburg, Maryland.<br /><br />Residents include Bella, 16, who is 112 in human years, Toby, 15, who is 105 in human years, and Marco, 18, who is 126 in human years.<br /><br />And much like an old folks home for humans, the residents have all their wants and needs catered for by workers and volunteers.<br /><br />Pet care specialist Emily Zea, 34, says it's the "best job in the world".<br /><br />The average day sees her change dog nappies, cheer up grumpy cats, find toys short-sighted residents have lost and break up treats for pooches without teeth.<br /><br />She said: "We do this because we don't want to see senior animals stuck in shelters - we'd rather they spend their last days with us so they can pass peacefully.<br /><br />"They have a great time here. It's basically just like an old people's home - they all have their own personalities and attitudes.<br /><br />"Much like old people, they want to do their own thing but sometimes need a bit of extra help.<br /><br />"It's funny how similar everyone is when they get old and grumpy - whether human or animal!<br /><br />"But I enjoy the job so much because it's so rewarding - the grumpy ones capture my heart the most!"<br /><br />Emily has worked as a member of staff at House With A Heart full-time since 2016 but most staff at the donation-funded shelter are volunteers.<br /><br />Founder Sher Polvinale, 77, has been running it since 2006 - and lives at the sanctuary 24/7 to make sure the animals are always being looked after.<br /><br />Some residents come after their owners have died, while others came from bad situations such as hoarders' homes.<br /><br />Some are friendly while others struggle to trust staff when they may have had a bad history with humans.<br /><br />But over time Emily said they start to come out of their shells and staff are able to bond with them.<br /><br />And eventually all their personalities and quirks start to show - even if they can be naughty or a little strange.<br /><br />She said: "No matter how much you tell them not to do something, they look at you and go right back to what they were doing.<br /><br />"Some still have that personality in them to be a pain in the butt, but it's pretty hilarious really.<br /><br />"Some of them hide toys then forget them, or still chew up the toys even if they have no teeth!<br /><br />"Some refuse to use the bathroom outside or want to use the bathroom wherever they want - so we put them in doggy diapers.<br /><br />"One refuses to use a bowl and will only eat off a black cutting board - we've gone through so many cutting boards but we want him to do what feels comfortable.<br /><br />"But we're set up to take care of everything and unless it's a risk to their health, we try to let them do whatever makes them happy."