No pet insurance 'means high costs'

Posted : 23-07-2007

The cost of caring for an animal and keeping it regularly checked up can be high if the owner has not purchased pet insurance, an expert in the sector has claimed.

Meriel France, education and animal care manager for the Pet Care Trust, said dogs and cats kept in kennels and catteries while the owner is holiday can receive veterinary care if they fall ill, but this may incur very high costs.

According to the trust, less than a quarter of pets in the UK are currently insured.

And although kennels and catteries legally have to be licensed, medical attention during a stay in one can result in extra costs if there is no pet insurance in place.

"The kennel's vet will phone the original vet for case notes," Ms France continued. "The cost of pet care can unfortunately be very high without insurance."

In related pet care news, last week saw the Times Colonist newspaper advise pet owners to ensure they do not leave animals in cars during the summer - even for a short period of time - as the risk of dehydration and death can be underestimated.

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