If you're happy and you know it - tell your friends! If they get a policy, you get a $25 Amex Card (and there's no limit to how many friends you tell)! >>click here<<
Ground Control to Major Tomcat - Before you jet off in January with your pet, check the forecast - winter temps could keep his paws grounded. Airline policies restrict you from checking pets for air travel when temps drop below 20 degrees at any location on your itinerary. Travel is even restricted at temps below 45 degrees. To learn when you can and can't take flight with your feline (or canine) friends, visit
pettravel.com.
Rules of the Road - Breaking down in bad winter weather can be a nightmare for any traveler, but it's even worse for our best friends, who are ill prepared to wait it out in the cold for a tow truck. Plan for the unexpected and pack some extra blankets, a warm pet coat, pet boots and extra food and water before hitting the road.
Crossing the Line - Next time you take a trip across state lines, don't forget to pack your pet's papers. Some states, such as Oregon, require that family pets coming across state lines have a Certificate of Veterinary Inspection issued less than 30 days prior to entry. They also require that all dogs and cats four months and older be current on their vaccinations. Requirements vary from state to state, so it's best to check with that state's
Department of Agriculture before the trip.
Dollars and Sense - Taking care of our pet's health is a priority - a $12.79 billion dollar priority, to be exact. Research published by the American Pet Products Association shows that pet parents spent an estimated $12.79 billion on veterinary care for their furry family members in 2010 - a 9.78% increase over 2009. Good thing for
pet insurance!
Fur-thering Medicine - Veterinary medicine is often on the forefront of medical breakthroughs that impact not only our best friends but us, as well. A recent trial investigated the use of a vaccine on some canine patients with brain tumors. Researchers are hoping the vaccine, when coupled with surgery, will prevent the cancer from recurring and will one day help humans diagnosed with cancerous brain tumors as well. Learn more about the trial at the Discovery Channel Canada
website. For more stories on groundbreaking veterinary research, check out our latest issue of
fetch!.
The Social Network - The
human-animal bond
is a critical relationship in the lives of many pet parents and pet health professionals. Recognizing this, the University of Tennessee recently launched a new certificate program dedicated to the discipline of veterinary social work. The certificate program provides education in counseling for pet loss, animal-assisted interactions, the management of "compassion fatigue" for those whose jobs involve animal care and more. Graduates of the certificate program can go on to work at veterinary colleges, private practices or in any aspect of the animal-care field. To learn more about the program, visit the
University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine website.
New Year, New Life - One hundred dogs are on their way to a better life thanks to the efforts of a dozen organizations, including The HSUS, after they were saved from a Bloomfield, Indiana puppy mill. The dogs were transported to a temporary shelter set up by the United Animal Nations in a space provided by the Pets Alive Spay/Neuter Clinic, and received much-needed supplies from PetSmart Charities. Learn more about The HSUS's fight against puppy mills at humanesociety.org.
"A New Year's Tail"
Tell us what you and your pet are doing this year to stay happy and healthy for a chance to win your choice of a Kong Wobbler or a Planet Dog Fetch Ball!
December's "A Christmas Story" Contest Winner
"The holidays were an especially thankful time for us this year. My husband returned home just before Christmas from his tour of duty in the Middle East, the first time we have had the opportunity to spend the holidays together in four years. Our Golden Lab, Tabor, was just a tiny puppy when my husband was deployed. Imagine his surprise when he came home to a nearly 70lb. best friend! We spent the snowy weeks surrounding the holiday playing fetch as a family and going for walks to see the neighborhood holiday decorations, and on Christmas Eve, we all donated our time handing out blankets for Help the Homeless - Tabor included!"
- Amy F. - Washington, DC
The information contained in this website is for illustrative purposes only and coverage under any pet insurance policy is expressly subject to the conditions, restrictions, limitations, exclusions and terms of the policy documentation issued by the insurer. Availability of this program is subject to each state's approval and coverage may vary by state. Pet insurance policies are issued by AGCS Marine Insurance Company and administered by Fetch Insurance Services, LLC (Fetch Insurance Agency, LLC in Michigan), d/b/a Petplan (Petplan Insurance Agency, LLC in California). AGCS Marine Insurance Company, a member of the Allianz Group, is rated A+ by A.M. Best (2010).