SPCA offering owners lifetime care of pets

By ANGELA GREGORY

The Auckland SPCA is offering a special pet insurance policy with a sharp new clause that will see them cared for if their owners die.

The special insurance is being offered in partnership with Pet Medicare.

SPCA chief executive Bob Kerridge said the organisation received many calls from the elderly concerned about the future care of their pet when they died.

The unique "legacy clause" meant the insured animals would be cared for by the SPCA.

"With this feature of the insurance policy they will have true peace of mind."

The policy also included features that reflected SPCA principles including a cover for desexing and the implantation of microchips for identification.

Additionally the 3600 animals adopted out by the SPCA each year would each receive a free 14-day cover from the day of adoption should any problems occur.

Mr Kerridge said pet insurance was huge in England, where over 30 per cent of pets were covered.

It had been slow to catch on in New Zealand as it had never been promoted, he said.

The SPCA scheme will cost $18 a month for cats and $23.50 a month for dogs.