Crunch Hitting Kennels And Catteries

A survey by Saga Pet Insurance of 700 of its pet insurance policy holders has identified the top-10-pet-owner- worries about our pets. Maybe not surprisingly in straitened circumstances, large vet bills, costs of medicines and insurance come top of the list. The company also reports however that kennels and catteries are suffering from credit crunch.

Saga reports that only 18% of pet owners are using commercial boarding facilities when they go away. A quarter choose to leave their pet with a relative and 27% leave them with a friend or neighbour. Payment for these informal services is not in money, but as a gift or souvenir bought on their travels.

A third of pet owners trust their relatives with their pet so much that they don't even call home to check up on them whilst they are away. The quality of boarding kennels and boarding kennel fees were rated number 10 in Saga's top ten listing of pet owner worries.

Large vet bills are a pet owners main worry (93%) closely followed by the thought of losing a pet through illness or old age (92%). The appearance of a glossy coat and general health of the pet is also a high priority of pet owners with 72% rating this within their top 10 worries.

Top 10 things to worry about:

1. Large vet bills (93%)
2. Loosing a pet (92%)
3. Cost of medicines (84%)
4. Adequately insured (82%)
5. Pet being stolen (73%)
6. Maintaining a healthy diet (72%)
7. Maintaining a healthy coat (67%)
8. Ensuring adequate exercise (54%)
9. Pet being over/under weight (53%)
10. Quality of boarding kennels (46%)

Source: Saga Pet Insurance For More information please contact: Naomi Thornton Press Officer Saga Press Office Tel: 01303 771529 Naomi.thornton@saga.co.uk Summary of Cover Maximum level of cover (during each policy year) Vet fees Saver up to Essential up to Super up to The cost of treatment at your chosen veterinary surgery for injury, accident illness or disease. £2,000 per condition (maximum 12 months) £1,000 per year £5,000 per year Additional benefits Third party liability £2 million £2 million £2 million Holiday cancellation £500 £500 £1,500 Boarding kennel fees £400 £400 £1,000 Travel allowance £100 £100 £200 Advertising and reward costs (total) Reward costs included within this limit £250 £50 £250 £50 £1,000 £100 Death from accident, illness or disease - - £1,000 Loss by theft or straying - - £1,000 Accidental damage your pet does to your property - - £750 Travel Policy For an extra £10 per year, you can add a Travel policy to your Saga Pet Insurance. This gives your dog or cat many of the benefits of our Super cover overseas. Livia Murphy Lansons Communications Direct +44 (0)20 7294 3693 Email liviam@lansons.com Web www.lansons.com 24a St John Street, London, EC1M 4AY Agency of the Year 2007 (PRCA), 2004 (PR Week), 2002 (CIPR), 1995 (PR Week) Financial Times 50 Best Workplaces in the UK – 2008, 2007, 2006 and 2005 The information contained in this message may be CONFIDENTIAL and is intended for the addressee only. Any unauthorised use, dissemination of the information, or copying of this message is prohibited. If you are not the addressee, please notify the sender immediately by return e-mail and delete this message. Although this e-mail and any attachments are believed to be free of any virus, or other defect which might affect any computer or system into which they are received and opened, it is the responsibility of the recipient to ensure that they are virus free and no responsibility is accepted by Lansons for any loss or damage from receipt or use thereof. The views expressed are of the individual, and do not necessarily reflect the views of Lansons Communications