Want it – Need it – Must Have it

As every parent knows there comes a time where you have to explain to your child the difference between a “want” and a “need” in order to teach them how to financially prepare for the future. As the recent Business Week article has successfully shown - in the world of four-legged children it is the pet parents to whom the “wants” versus “needs” lesson should be directed.

According to recent figures released by Packaged Facts, North American pet owners now spend $41 billion a year on their pets, a figure that has doubled over the past decade and while $9.8 billon of that figure is for vet services and a further $9.9 billon is for over-the-counter drugs and other supplies the residual $21.3 billion goes towards pet foods, products and services. Business Week included some of the more esoteric (and pricey) products for pets including the now famous Neuticles, indoor potties, trench coats and perfume but sadly failed to mention our personal favorite – the vitamin water for dogs that comes in such flavors as “ Toilet Bowl”, “Lamb Flavor “ and “Liver Flavor “.

While Business Week lauded the ability of modern day veterinarians to save and extend the lives of our pets they noted that the sad reality is that pet owners still resist taking smart financial measures to afford the aforementioned veterinary services.  While thinking nothing of spending $135 on the most “up-to-the-minute” jacket for their pint sized princess, the statistics show that most do not have the foresight to pay the $15 monthly premium to save the princess in the event that she chews her jacket and swallows the zipper.  [Foreign Body Ingestion surgery is the most common accident claim that we encounter, may cost thousands of dollars and is covered under even the cheapest ShelterCare Pet Insurance policy.] 

Pet owners’ continued failure to plan for their pet’s medical needs results in:-

• Euthanasia of animals that could otherwise be saved;
• The administration of less effective but cheaper treatment options;
• Surrender of sick pets to animal welfare organizations;
• Dependence upon charitable organizations such as The Pet Fund for emergency funding.

You and your adoption personnel have an unparalleled opportunity to change this by sending animals to their new homes with the hope of more than a cute collar and a designer bed – talk to your adopters about ShelterCare Insurance and the freedom it will give them to do what is right for their new family member in both the good and the bad times. Pet adopters who sign up with an annual ShelterCare Insurance Program are given the peace-of-mind that in the event of their pet’s health emergency they can make the best medical choices for their pet without worrying about the cost.

ShelterCare saves lives everyday –over $6,012,462.72 has now been paid in claims to provide adopted animals with the medical care they need and deserve but the number of adopters taking the insurance remains too low – help us to help the animals that you adopt out - start talking to all your adopters about insuring their pets for the long-term today.

The Pethealth Family