Tuesday, August 11, 2009 (Pittsburgh, PA) During September, NAPHIA will be sponsoring a nationwide contest to select pet health insurance customers' favorite veterinary practices from over 20,000 across North America. Pet parents can also post pictures of their pet along with a story of hope and recovery due to pet insurance helping to provide needed care.
The favorite veterinary practice will receive special recognition plaque, as well as a $500.00 educational grant for their team. The winning pet and pet parent story will receive a gift certificate valued at $500.00 to be used for pet purchases. Additionally, a donation of $250.00 will be provided to the pet shelter of the winner’s choice.
Pet Health Insurance Month was established in Canada four years ago by Petsecure. Through promotion of their contest on the Petsecure homepage, ads in their eNewsletter, as well as posters and other collateral each year the program has increased. Last year there were over 10,000 entries. "We continue to see significant annual growth in our industry," states Randy Valpy, President & Chief Operating Officer of Petsecure Pet Health Insurance. "It is our mission to promote, educate and share information about pet health insurance. Pet Health Insurance Month helps spread the importance of pet health insurance as part of responsible pet ownership."
According to NAPHIA Executive Director, Loran Hickton, "Everyday we receive heartwarming stories of pets that were saved due to the support of pet health insurance. This good work that has taken place in Canada over the past several years gives us a great reason to join this ongoing awareness campaign and celebrate. Highlighting the care providers and the great stories of pet parents and pets that were saved as a result of having pet health insurance can help raise awareness to a much greater level. We know that the current economy makes pet insurance critically important for the financial wellbeing of all pet owners. Pet owners simply don't have the disposable income to cover emergencies or even routine pet health care".
Research by the American Veterinary Medical Association shows that pets are truly members of the American family. About 60% of U.S. households have at least one dog, cat, bird, or other companion animal. Many have more than one. There are more than 72 million pet dogs in the U.S. and nearly 82 million pet cats. Projected 2009 pet expenditures for North America are over $45 billion, of which $25 billion will be spent on veterinary medicine.
Pet parents can visit www.naphia.org to enter their story, pictures and favorite veterinary practice. For additional information contact the North American Pet Health Insurance Association, call 1-412-319-7730 or visit www.naphia.org.
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Founded in 2007, the North American Pet Health Insurance Association is committed to educating and promoting the values and benefits of pet health insurance to North American pet owners, the general public, and the veterinary industry.
For more information, visit www.naphia.org or call 412-319-7730 / 412-908-9766.
