Veterinary Pet Insurance Launches National Pet Parent's Day

Free 'Pet Parent's Day' e-Cards available on petinsurance.com

BREA, Calif., April 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI),
the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, has
designated the last Sunday in April -- this year, April 27 -- as National
Pet Parent's Day, slating the nation's first official day celebrating pet
caregivers. In the traditional spirit of a spring season set aside for
celebrating parents of human children, National Pet Parent's Day recognizes
and honors those who lovingly consider their pets part of their family.

In an effort to facilitate the recognition of pet parents, VPI is
offering electronic greeting cards dedicated to National Pet Parent's Day
on its Web site, petinsurance.com, through April 27. VPI's 'e-Cards' will
be available for Web site visitors to share with the pet parent(s) of their
choice -- friends, family or even spouses who raise dogs, cats, birds, or
exotic pets. Similar to popular online greeting cards, senders will have
the ability to choose a design and attach a personalized message to the
electronic greeting.

"Research on the human-animal bond and our own data suggests that many
people consider themselves pet parents," said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice
president and chief veterinary medical officer for VPI. "A recent survey by
the American Animal Hospital Association indicates 83 percent of pet owners
consider themselves their pet's mom or dad. Many of VPI's policyholders
emphatically label their pets as children, and we felt compelled to set
aside an annual day to recognize the special bond and commitment made by
pet owners."

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association, in 2006
nearly half of pet owners, or 49.7 percent, considered their pets family
members. Among U.S. pet caregivers, young pet owners without children and
older pet owners whose children have left home are most likely to consider
themselves to be pet "parents."

Pet parents demonstrate parental behavior by buying presents for their
pets on holidays, designating a seat at the dinner table for their pets, or
giving their pets a role in their wedding or other special occasions. A
recent VPI poll of its policyholders and other visitors to its Web site
found that 56 percent of pet owners sleep in the same bed as their pets,
while another pet owner survey determined that 23 percent take their pets
on family vacations.

"Over the past 26 years, VPI has insured more than a million pets,
providing us insight into pet lovers who have literally transitioned their
pets from the backyard to the bedroom," added McConnell. "The majority of
our policyholders will go to any length to demonstrate responsible pet
ownership and provide protection for their furry and feathered family
members, and that includes securing health insurance coverage for them as
they would any other family member."

About Veterinary Pet Insurance

Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the nation's
oldest and largest pet health insurance company. Providing pet owners with
peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted
choice of America's pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPI
Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple
medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and
injuries. Optional Pet WellCare Protection(SM) for routine care is also
available.

Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of
Columbia. More than 1,600 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance as
an employee benefit. 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, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.





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Via: Healthcare