Nation's Leading Pet Insurer Provides Health Coverage to Animals Affected by Hurricane Katrina
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Paid-For Two-Year Policies to be Given to 100 Families in the Gulf Region
BREA, Calif., Oct. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- In an effort to help pets and pet owners in the Gulf Coast recover from the devastating Hurricane Katrina, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency (VPI) is partnering with key pet industry leaders to provide support to 100 families with pets whose lives have been disrupted. VPI is contributing to this effort by providing insurance policies for 100 families' pets that were affected after a month of chaos, destruction, and displacement.
As an animal health industry sponsor of the "Welcome Home" packages for pets featured on last week's NBC TODAY show and intended for 100 families impacted by Hurricane Katrina, VPI will provide the selected families with two-year medical policies for their pets. Pets from the chosen families will have comprehensive medical coverage with the VPI Superior Plan, the company's flagship policy.
"The whole country watched in sadness as tearful images of dogs, cats and other pets left stranded on rooftops and boats were featured on the daily newscasts," said Dennis P. Drent, president and CEO of VPI. "We can only imagine the anguish many families experienced after they became separated from their pets. Because these animals were exposed to potentially life-threatening conditions, we want to provide several of them with medical coverage for the next two years as they heal and adjust to their new surroundings."
The "Welcome Home" packages were featured as part of a five-day series on the TODAY show, where Rockefeller Plaza was transformed into "Humanity Plaza" so that volunteers could build homes around-the-clock to be shipped to the devastated areas. In all, 100 "houses in a box" will be built over the next several months, and then shipped to the Gulf area to be delivered to 100 deserving families.
Other sponsors of the pet "Welcome Home" packages include the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and American Veterinary Medical Foundation (AVMF), Fort Dodge Animal Health, Hills Pet Nutrition Inc., Merial, and Hartz Mountain Corp. In addition to paid-for VPI Pet Insurance policies, the packages will include (from the other sponsors) twice-a-year wellness exams, a two-year supply of dog or cat food, a lifetime supply of heartworm, flea and tick preventive medication, and toys, bowls and collars.
The AVMA and AVMF will work with the Louisiana and Mississippi state veterinary medical associations to identify the families who will receive the pet care kits.
"Meeting the significant medical needs of pets and families affected by Hurricane Katrina could have been a financial challenge for some of these families," said AVMA President Henry Childers, DVM. "By taking away the concerns these owners might have had about paying for veterinary care in the short term, VPI has reinforced the importance the human-animal bond and the key role veterinarians play every day in keeping that bond strong. AVMA is proud to call VPI a partner in this endeavor."
About Veterinary Pet Insurance
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. is the nation's oldest and largest health insurance provider for pets. Selling policies since 1982, the company is committed to making the miracles of veterinary medicine affordable for all pet owners. VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for thousands of medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional Vaccination & Routine Care Coverage is also available.
Policies are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance policies, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit http://www.petinsurance.com.
