Choose kennel carefully for cheaper pet insurance

Posted : 31-03-2006

Dog owners are shelling out an estimated £46 million in vet's bills and raised pet insurance premiums over the course of their pets' lifetimes due to the poor conditions in which they are kept in kennels, according to new research.

A survey by Direct Line Pet Insurance revealed that of the 5,400,000 dogs in the UK, 300,000 have required treatment resulting from their stay in unfit kennels, costing on average £150 in fees each time.

Peter Eastwick-Field, a leading veterinary surgeon,said: "We believe too many boarding establishments are falling below acceptable standards in basic care – for instance very few dogs are even getting enough exercise during their stay.

"On average we see one to two dogs a week in the practice during the summer months as a result of time spent in the kennels. Vomiting, diarrhoea and kennel cough are a few of the illnesses commonly related to boarding establishments."

This is not so much the result of apathy on the part of the owner, as it is negligence on the part of the kennel.

More than a quarter of owners feel that insufficient attention had been paid to their dog during their stay, while 20 per cent felt their dog had had little exercise. This is despite the fact that 87 per cent of owners inspect kennels before making a booking,

Some 12 per cent of dogs contracted an illness while staying in kennels, while four per cent sustained an injury. As a result, owners are being urged most strongly to check for the best, not the cheapest kennels when they go on holiday, as scrimping now can cost considerably more in treatment and raised pet insurance premiums.

Chris Price, head of Direct Line Pet Insurance, said: "We recommend that pet owners base their kennel selection on word-of-mouth from a friend or another trusted source, and have the appropriate pet insurance to ensure that their pet is covered in the unfortunate event of it needing treatment."


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