With the 2011 Australian Bureau of Statistics Human Census having just recently taken place, Petplan have agreed to sponsor a survey to ask the nation’s Pet Owners, pet specific set of questions to evaluate what it is like to be a pet owner in Australia today. Incorporating information on health, finance, social and family, the Pet Census 2011 is the first port of call for all you need to know about the relationship between human and animals.
We feel that pets are such valuable and important members of society that they should be counted and are pleased to sponsor Australia’s first ever comprehensive pet census - Pet Census 2011.
Pet Census 2011 seeks to explore four main areas relating to human-animal relationship, namely, health, finance, social relations and family life.
From 1st September 2011 through to the 1st November 2011, Pet Census 2011 survey will be available at http://www.petcensus.com.au/.
Pet Census 2011 has been developed to try to give us a clearer picture of pet ownership in Australia. It is also steered towards adopting practices that promote positive pet welfare and generally encourage a successful and happy relationship between the owners and their companion animals. While we know that Australians are a nation of animal lovers, Pet Census 2011 may demonstrates that pets play an even bigger part in making us more compassionate, happier, healthier and sociable.
We feel that you would like to be part of this project because we are all animal lovers and wish to provide positive and better pet welfare for our beloved pets. Results of the Census may also help you to plan for the future in terms of research, development and advancement of your organisation.
All we ask is that you pass on the information about Pet Census 2011 to all pet owners, around Australia and encourage them to participate in the survey. Results of the Census will be sent to anyone who has indicated at the end of survey that they wish to receive results.
Additional information on the Pet Census 2011 can be sought by contacting Natasha Golden on 1300 738 225, or by email to natashagolden@petplan.com.au
Natasha Golden General Manager Petplan & Petplan Equine
The First known Australian case of Hendra virus affecting a dog has now been reported, this case was confirmed on the 26 Jul 2011.
Hendra virus is commonly known to affect horses and humans, this year currently there have been ten cases reported in Queensland and four in NSW. With this the first reported case of the virus being transmitted to a dog the concerns are is the virus now taking a new direction?
Health authorities are reportedly remaining positive that the virus is not out of control but concern within the community is growing. It is not commonly known that the virus can be transmitted to dogs, cats, guinea pigs, pigs and bats. Hendra virus is transmitted from fruit bats, most commonly from horses eating faeces of the affected bats. The virus is believed to have been transmitted to the dog from an affected horse on the property.
Petplan Pet Insurance as part of the Allianz Insurance Group covers any costs related to the diagnosis and treatment of any affected horse, dog or cat insured on one of their insurance policies. Once again, proving why Petplan is market leader in pet insurance providing peace of mind even in the face of something as horrific and potentially deadly as the Hendra virus.
Petplan Australasia has just launched its licensed Petplan insurance product in New Zealand through the 98-store The Warehouse retail business.
From this week, Ford Kinter is creating the product and handling claims for The Warehouse.
In a statement from New Zealand, the big retailer said: "In recent years, The Warehouse's status as a great place to get a bargain has extended beyond big red-sheds and into the digital world, with thousands of New Zealanders logging on each week to shop at The Warehouse online
"With its latest move, The Warehouse is poised to become a player in the growing pet insurance market with the launch of a fully online, comprehensive pet insurance product."
Phil Devlin, general manager of The Warehouse's Financial Services division said he was delighted with the move.
"New Zealanders have a real affinity with their pets and often they become part of the family. The Warehouse Petplan product allows animal lovers to protect their pets in case of accident and illness and could help avoid large veterinary fees"
"We're pleased to be launching a simple and convenient solution with cover available both in store and online at www.thewarehousepetplan.co.nz"
Petplan director Doug Ford said that "Petplan is delighted to partner with the Warehouse to deliver their Pet Insurance products."
"Petplan is the world's largest pet insurers with more than 1.5 million pets insured worldwide, and has been the leading pet insurer in the UK for the past 35 years and came to New Zealand two years ago."
"Petplan is committed to providing the leading pet insurance together with the best claims service possible."
Petplan, the Pet Insurance People, were awarded the "Best Pet Insurance Company 2009", at the Master Dog Breeders Association Awards night held in Sydney recently. Petplan are proud to have now achieved a 'hat trick', as this year's award makes three years in a row that not only has it been nominated, but have actually won the award.
"Just to be nominated is a great achievement', Petplan Director, Doug Ford said today, "but to have the honour of actually winning the Award three years in a row, is an accomplishment that has only been made possible because every member of Petplan's staff are dedicated pet owners and really care about our clients pets". "We are very proud of this achievement, and thank every one at Master Dog Breeders Association and most of all, our clients for the nomination'.
The Master Dog Breeders Association is an organisation that was set up to raise the bar of excellence in the breeding and raring of domestic pets, so to buy a new puppy from a member of the Master Dog Breeders Association, you have the assurance of the highest possible standards of ethics and after sales service available.
Pet Insurance in Australia has, over the last five years become a 'must have insurance' and is as important today to consumers, as having home and motor insurance, largely due to the advancements in veterinary medicine and treatments that are now available for pets that were unheard of just a few years ago, like chemotherapy and MRI's, but unfortunately these treatments comes at a cost.
Petplan have seen in the last 12 months, for example, claims costs increase by 16.7%, and when you compare that to the national average of 3.2% inflation, having Pet Insurance makes a lot of sense. It means being able to provide the best possible veterinary care for the family pet, rather than having to base treatment around what the pet owner can afford, and in some cases, having to make the terrible decision to euthanase the pet because of financial reasons.
Petplan Pet Insurance is the world's largest pet insurer and is the product leader in Australasia. Having won this Award does not mean that we will rest on our laurels; we will strive to continue to improve our service to the pet owning public.
Since the arrival of Petplan in Australia, the level of pet insurance has improved dramatically, but Petplan Products stand head and shoulders above the competition, due to being the only Pet Insurer that has a true "Covered for Life'' policy. This means that for any ongoing, chronic or re-occurring conditions, Petplan will continue to pay claims on that condition for the rest of the animals life, rather than just until the maximum benefit has been paid, as do all other pet insurers in Australia.
Another area where Petplan are market leaders in Australia is being the only pet insurer that has cover extending to cover Legal Liability. Compulsory Public Liability cover is being considered in the UK by Legislators at the moment, as part of possible changes to the Dangerous Dogs Act, UK Government ministers are proposing that dog owners have to take out insurance to cover damage or injuries their pet causes. These measures are aimed at tackling the growing problem of dog related incidents and in the interest of public safety.
Petplan in Australia is underwritten by Allianz Australia Insurance Limited, one of Australia's largest general insurers.
Gwen Ford Petplan Marketing gwenford@petplan.com.au
