Multiple Pet Owners With VPI Pet Insurance Represent 17% of All Policyholders

It's Raining (Insured) Cats and Dogs ... and Birds and Reptiles BREA, Calif., July 30 /PRNewswire/ -- American families are going tothe dogs -- and cats and maybe iguanas or rabbits. In a recent review ofpolicyholder data, Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation's oldest andlargest provider of pet health insurance, found that a surprising number ofVPI policyholders have gone pet happy, with 17 percent -- nearly 80,000 --insuring two or more pets. "Multiple pet owners have experienced, more than most, the joys andcosts of owning a pet," said Dr. Carol McConnell, vice president and chiefveterinary officer for VPI. "VPI Pet Insurance policies are a smart way toensure that the joy is multiplied and not the medical costs." VPI encourages policyholders to enroll each of their pets by offeringmultiple pet discounts. Policyholders with two to three pets receive a 5percent discount on each pet's base medical plan, and those with four ormore pets receive a 10 percent discount on each pet's base medical plan. Several of VPI's multiple pet policyholders take advantage of the factthat VPI is the only major pet insurance provider in the United States withplans for avian and exotic pets, which they own in addition to thetraditional dog or cat. Some of the atypical household pets covered by VPIPet Insurance policies include hedgehogs, gerbils, ducks, chameleons,goats, boa constrictors, toucans, geckos, chinchillas, pot belly pigs, andanacondas. Mark and Sandra Milroy of El Cajon, Calif., are proud multiple petowners, with 11 birds, two dogs, a guinea pig, a tortoise and a turtle --all insured by VPI. Mark Milroy, who grew up on a farm, wanted hisdaughters to learn to be responsible for animals. "Obviously, we use our insurance a lot," said Mark Milroy. "We believein taking care of our animals and, sometimes, the only way to accomplishthis is with outside assistance. If you have your animals insured, you knowthey are going to be taken care of. You know they are going to receive thatthird-party help when they need it." Some people, like the Milroys, choose to care for multiple pets. Otherscome upon them more by chance -- or accident. Joyce Varela, a VPIpolicyholder from Lancaster, Calif., tried to keep her three importedFrench mastiffs from breeding, but when they escaped from the house oneday, it was only a few months until she had a litter of 10 puppies. Varela,who worked in a veterinary clinic for 10 years, knew the potential healthcare costs of raising 13 dogs and wasted no time purchasing insurance forall of them. "If you have the animals, you have to be responsible for them," saidVarela. "One veterinary bill can cost thousands of dollars, but when youhave insurance, you have no excuse not to take your dogs to the doctor." Anthony Parsons, a policyholder in Minneapolis, did not hesitate when afriend asked him to adopt three cats rescued from Hurricane Katrina, eventhough he already had five cats and two dogs. "You kind of get a surprised look from some people, like, 'Really?Eight cats?'" said Parsons. "My wife and I both had many pets over ourlifetime. Having pets and having them insured was never a question. We'velost pets before to illness, and we just want the peace of mind that ifanything happened outside of our financial means, we'd be able to take careof it." About Veterinary Pet Insurance Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the nation'soldest and largest pet health insurance company. Providing pet owners withpeace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trustedchoice of America's pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPIPet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiplemedical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses andinjuries. Optional Pet WellCare Protection(SM) for routine care is alsoavailable. Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District ofColumbia. More than 1,600 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance asan employee benefit. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet InsuranceCompany in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company,an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about VPIPet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.