Articles from Newsletters

On the Road Again! Travel Tips for Smooth Sailing with Your Dog

Angela Klein — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

There are few phrases in a dog's vocabulary that elicit joy like the phrase "Let's go!" As more and more families bring their pets along on their travels, we wanted to compile a list of tips to remember to help make your journey safe, memorable and fun.

The adage says that the devil might be in the details, but planning before you go will help not only relieve last minute stress but give you the knowledge you need to make choices you'll be happy with. Be sure to ask about the features, fees and restrictions of each hotel or campground you're considering as some establishments charge a flat fee where others offer a refundable deposit. Ask which category the prospective hotel falls in, since some can be as high as $100. Also, knowing that the motel you're wanting has a policy of no dogs over 25 pounds will help ensure that when you show up with your Great Dane that there are no surprises waiting for you, such as having to find another hotel at the last minute.

Speaking of surprises, we'll state the obvious here as a side note, but as more and more dogs are out and about, remember to pick up after your dog when you're traveling, whether you're at a campground, motel, dog park or even a rest area, to keep the good will and friendly attitudes toward our pets strong.

Other potentially obvious tips that deserve repeating when planning a trip:

Bring your dog's favorite toy or blanket.
If traveling by plane, don't feed your dog for six hours before the trip and be sure to check the airline's policies for caring for your dog if you can't fly together.
When traveling by car, allow extra time to get out and stretch and be sure to have plenty of water on hand so there's no risk of dehydration.
Remember that a tired dog is a happy dog. Exercise before you go.
Enter and unpack in your hotel room first. This will make sure that your scent is in the room before your dog enters it.
Bring along a first-aid kit and an extra leash, just in case.

As much as we all don't like to think about emergencies, the truth of the matter is that they happen. Plotting out several veterinarians on your route before you go means that if something happens, you'll know where to go without having to spend time looking. Use our Vet Locator to quickly find several options, including emergency clinics, in the areas you'll be vacationing.

Finally, be sure to remember things like water safety (yes, there absolutely are life jackets for dogs, and they're recommended) and avoid any potential for heat stroke and other summer dangers like hot cars and walking on black pavement for any period of time. (Ouch! Those poor paw pads!)

Most of all, whether you're going just up the road or halfway around the world, enjoy yourself. Pack up those doggy goggles, whatever he or she needs to be comfortable and repeat those wonderful words, "Let's go!" Your next adventure is just a road trip away.

Spotlight On: The Arizona Humane Society

Angela Klein — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

With one look at the Arizona Humane Society, it's easy to see that this group is so much more than just a shelter for pets in transition.

Founded in 1957 as a private nonprofit organization, the Arizona Humane Society works daily to stay true to their mission: to safeguard, rescue, shelter, heal, adopt and advocate for animals in need.

In addition to being Arizona's largest animal-welfare protection agency, the Arizona Humane Society provides free or low-cost spay/neuter services for dogs and cats in an effort to end pet over-population in the greater Phoenix area. Last year, nearly 20,000 surgeries were performed. They accomplish this at their campuses and on the road with their mobile spay/neuter and animal wellness centers that travel throughout the Southwest.

Each year, more than 50,000 pets are rescued and/or sheltered at the Arizona Humane society's campuses, and as the state-designated companion animal disaster response organization, they also provide services to pets in natural disasters.

In 2004, the Arizona Humane Society was honored as the National Shelter of the Year, chosen from over 300 other animal protection organizations throughout the United States.

Additionally, the Arizona Humane Society inspires community action through their efforts such as their Pets on Parade television show, educating groups on the importance of respect and compassion for all living beings through the Startdust Humane Education Program, and lobbying for laws that protect pets.

Pets on Parade, which holds the distinction of being the longest running show in the history of Arizona television, hit the airwaves in the Phoenix-metro area 40 years ago and features adoptable pets from the shelter.

To learn more about the Arizona Humane Society and their efforts, visit them online at www.azhumane.org.

Pets Best Insurance is proud to partner with the Arizona Humane Society and others in the Pets Best "Racing to Save Pets" campaign by identifying and confronting the key issues that cause euthanasia.

Dr. Jack Stephens, a veterinarian and the founder and pioneer of the pet insurance industry in the United States created "Racing to Save Pets" as a means to address and create a sense of urgency regarding the primary reasons that cause 3 million pets in shelters and millions more throughout the country to be destroyed each year.

"Racing to Save Pets" addresses the need for better support and understanding of our community shelters by raising support and awareness. Pets Best Insurance also provides its ShelterBest partnership program as a means to directly support shelters with community efforts and funding that can make the difference for countless pets that need and deserve to find homes.

By providing a better understanding of the human health benefits of pet ownership, raising awareness for smaller shelters and groups that need support, and providing an ongoing source of donations, "Racing to Save Pets" is partnering across the nation with shelters like the Arizona Humane Society and other adoption groups to make a difference and reduce unnecessary euthanasia.

You Oughta Be in Pictures!

Angela Klein — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

You Oughta Be in Pictures!

With summer fully arrived, the heat is on and we're looking for your best doggone and cool cat photos. Submit your dog or cat's best summer photo with a caption by August 15th and we'll post winners - one for dogs and one for cats - in the early September edition of the Pets Best Newsletter.

We love to hear the stories of the pets in the Pets Best family and look forward to getting to know more about yours!

Our sales manager, Steve Gardner, says he will personally be in charge of the photos, so we have high hopes that fun will be had by all.

In addition to bragging rights, Steve promises to send the winning dog and cat cool treats. (Bones and catnip have been mentioned so far, but one just never knows with Steve!)

So get in on the summertime fun and send us your favorite photo by August 15th. Also, Steve said that he loves putting pictures on our website, so when you send a picture to him remember that you are giving him permission to post it. We look forward to hearing from you!

Send your photos to Steve at sgardner@petsbest.com or call and chew the fat with him at 1-877-738-7237 ext. 311. (Or, in his words, regale him with tales of fun and mystery.) Give him a call. You'll be glad you did!

The Magic Bullet Fund

Angela Klein — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Inspired by the love of a Siberian named Bullet, the Magic Bullet Fund is writer and editor Laurie Kaplan's labor of love for the dog who "graced (her) life for 12 years, 2 months and a day."

At 9 years of age, Bullet was diagnosed with late stage multicentric B-cell lymphoma. "I was horrified, terrified, and determined that I would not lose Bullet without a fight," Laurie writes on the Magic Bullet Fund website.

During the course of his treatment, the veterinarian who provided chemotherapy treatments for Bullet insisted Laurie write a book to help others who have dogs with cancer. Help Your Dog Fight Cancer, the result of that encouragement, quickly became a preferred resource for pet owners facing this difficult and often overwhelming disease.

Coinciding with the book's publication, Laurie founded the Magic Bullet Fund to help people who have dogs with cancer but cannot afford to pay for treatment. "I often thought about how very lucky I was to be able to pay for Bullet's treatment and how devastated I would have felt if I could not," she said.

"The Magic Bullet Fund is about giving every dog the chance he or she deserves to survive cancer," Laurie said. "At best, it is about beating cancer. At least, it is about giving people and their dogs more time together - more time to create a few more precious memories." Bullet survived his battle with cancer and lived until he was nearly 14 when Laurie lost him to renal failure.

Because canine cancer treatment ranges on average between $600 and $6,000, the Magic Bullet Fund connects donors and potential donors with dogs and their families who need help. A secondary mission to help heighten public awareness about canine cancer through educational efforts is included in the organization's mission statement. First and foremost, however, "the fund's mission is to provide cancer treatment for dogs whose caretakers are unable to provide treatment - dogs who would not have cancer treatment at all without our assistance," Laurie said.

Learn more about the Magic Bullet Fund and how you can help make a difference at www.themagicbulletfund.org.

Working with the Magic Bullet Fund is one of several efforts by Pets Best to help pets and pet owners who are dealing with cancer. Visit www.petcancerfoundation.org for more information and a special offer with a veterinary oncologist.

Helpful Hints When Filing Claims

Angela Klein — Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 GMT

While we've worked to make filling out claims as simple as possible, we wanted to share with you some tips to help speed the processing of your claim and make sure that reimbursements reach you as quickly as possible.

Making sure a claim is complete is the single most important thing you can do. Use this checklist to help:

___ Have you filled out all required fields?

Hint: listing why your pet was brought to the office or hospital is incredibly important and often overlooked - Unless your vet lets us know why the pet was seen, we won't know!

___ Have you signed the form?

Insurance regulators say that we have to have this from you in order to pay your claim. It's also the most common problem when it comes to incomplete forms. Double-checking each time will ensure faster payment.

___ Has your vet or designated hospital staff member signed the form?

Ditto on the above.

___ Have you included a copy of the detailed hospital invoice showing payment - not just a payment receipt but something that shows the charges for the services that were provided?

Without a paid invoice, we won't know that A) your vet has been paid so that we're allowed to reimburse you; and B) that the charges were for medications and procedures related to an illness or an accident (or wellness if you have the BestWellness plan in addition to your policy), not things like food, books, videos and other items not covered by insurance.

___ If you faxed your claim form and invoice to us, was it right-side up?

We do it, too, so we know it happens. When claims are faxed upside down, nothing comes through. If you haven't received an email from us saying that we received your claim, chances are that it may have been faxed upside down.

Claim receipt emails are usually sent within 12 to 24 hours after we receive them. As always, please feel free to call us if you ever have any questions about the status of your claim. 24 hours after receipt, our Customer Service representatives will be able to confirm that your claim was received.

Once your claim is processed, we'll make a note of it in your account online. If you haven't set your account up yet, it's easy! Just log on to the Pets Best Customer Portal and we'll walk you through the set up.

Again, anytime you need help, we're happy to answer your questions. Please do call us! 1-877-738-7237 (1-877-PETSBEST). Thank you again, as always, for the opportunity to serve you and your pets!

Pet Cancer Foundation

Angela Klein — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Lifesaving.
How The Pet Cancer Foundation is
Working to Help Fight Cancer.

Every year, millions of pets are lost to cancer. Leukemia, lymphoma, bone cancer and mammary gland cancer all claim the lives of our beloved pets.

Many tireless efforts are underway, including the work of the Pet Cancer Foundation, a cooperative venture to help pet owners understand and manage cancer and cancer fears and provide a resource for free initial cancer consultations through a pet owner's local veterinarian. This resource brings cancer consultation to the pet owner and pet, no matter where they are.

Local veterinarians are also encouraged to visit the Pet Cancer Foundation site www.petcancerfoundation.org to learn how to obtain the free initial consultation from a board-certified veterinary oncologist who will identify what treatments are the most effective for each specific cancer.

Although the Pet Cancer Foundation web site is for pet owners, the consultation can only be provided to a licensed veterinarian. The web site, however, does provide information on cancer in pets for consumers.

Dr. Alice Villalobos, a veterinarian and author who concentrates on cancer and end-of life care, says that this free consultation can be lifesaving.

"All too often, cancer treatments for pets do not happen because of the hassle of taking your pet elsewhere, sometimes requiring driving long distances for specialized treatments that may be needed weekly or even more often," she says. "With this process, many cancer treatments can be successfully implemented, monitored and adapted by a person's own veterinarian with the benefit of a cancer specialist assisting in every step."

In the broader perspective, this initiative was created to keep pets living longer, healthier lives and enable them to bring joy to their families, according to Dr. Jack Stephens, president and founder of Pets Best Insurance. "Our mission at Pets Best is to provide reimbursement for the best pet care possible, which includes cancer treatments."

The Pet Cancer Foundation is a cooperative venture supported by Pets Best Insurance, Oncura Partners and the Morris Animal Foundation. Last year, Pets Best also pledged $1 million to the Morris Animal Foundation (MAF) Cure Canine Cancer campaign in an effort to eradicate cancer in dogs in the next 10 - 20 years. For this, Dr. Jack Stephens and Pets Best Insurance have been honored and recognized by MAF as a "Canine Cancer Campaign SuperHero," joining Pfizer Animal Health as the second $1 million contributor to the campaign.

Weathering the Summertime with Your Pets

Angela Klein — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Weathering the Good Ol' Summertime with Your Pets

As spring turns to summer, dogs and cats everywhere are beginning to feel the heat! To help you and your pets get through the summer, we've compiled a list of helpful tips to keep your four-legged friends healthy and happy.

You've heard it before, but we'll say it again. Never, never, never leave your pet in the car, even for just a few minutes. Temperatures in cars can reach 120 degrees quickly when the weather is warm. Because dogs and cats don't perspire and can only release heat through their paw pads and by panting, pets left in hot cars are at risk for heat exhaustion, heat stroke, brain damage or death.

Another temptation to avoid is putting dogs in the back of pick-up trucks. Flying debris, accidents or even sudden turns or stops all pose threats to dogs left in this vulnerable position. Keep your dog inside or in a secured crate in the bed of the truck.

Plant food, fertilizer and insecticide are all common during the summer but pose another hazard to pets. Be sure to read the directions carefully and keep your pets away from fertilized areas and especially away from bags of fertilizer, insecticide and plant food, which can be fatal if ingested. Watch out, too, for the 700+ varieties of plants that can produce physiologically active or toxic substances that are harmful to your pets.

Check with your veterinarian to see if your pets should be taking heartworm prevention medication. Transmitted by mosquitoes, heartworm disease can be fatal in both dogs and cats.

Other quick reminders for a stress-free summer:

Provide plenty of water and shade for your pets at all times.
Make early preparations for vacation travel whether leaving your pet at home or bringing them with you.
Use flea and tick treatments recommended by your veterinarian.
Limit exercise for older dogs and dogs with thick coats to early morning hours to reduce the risk of heat exhaustion and stroke.
Do your pets a favor and remember that loud events, such as the 4^th of July and music concerts, can be stressful for pets.

If your pet starts showing signs of heat exhaustion and/or stroke - heavy panting, glazed eyes, a rapid pulse, unsteadiness, vomiting or a deep red or purple tongue - immediately work to lower his body temperature by applying cool, not cold, water over his body, cold towels or ice packs to your pet's head, neck and chest only and let him lick ice cubes or drink small amounts of water. Heat exhaustion and stroke can be fatal to your pet, so always remember to check with your veterinarian and when in doubt, visit a hospital immediately.

Have a safe and happy summer!

Supplemental Wellness Care Option

Angela Klein — Thu, 05 Jun 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Supplemental Wellness Care Option Offers Additional Benefits

Wondering if routine care is covered with your accident and illness policy? It is if you choose BestWellness in addition to your plan. BestWellness is optional coverage you can add to your Pets Best policy that helps you budget for annual exams, teeth cleaning, routine tests and more.

With no deductible and $440 in annual benefits for dogs and more than $500 in annual benefits for cats, BestWellness is specifically chosen by our policyholders who regularly take their pets to the vet.

Half of the annual BestWellness benefits may be claimed within the first six months of each policy period. After six consecutive months as a policyholder, the full 100% of the BestWellness benefit is available for use.

Learn more about BestWellness or call a Pets Best Customer Service Representative today at 1-877-PETSBEST or 1-877-738-7237 to add BestWellness to your policy and help with expenses for future routine visits.

Spotlight On: The Morris Animal Foundation

Angela Klein — Mon, 12 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Since 1948, the Morris Animal Foundation has been answering a critical and unique need in promoting animal health and welfare and advancing veterinary medicine. As the largest non-profit organization dedicated to funding research studies to protect, treat and cure animals, including companion animals, nearly 1,400 studies have been conducted to that end.

Last year, the Morris Animal Foundation launched its Cure Canine Cancer campaign to raise funds to help find a cure for cancer in dogs within the next 10 - 20 years.

As part of this effort, Pets Best has pledged a million dollars to their campaign, knowing that millions of dogs each year die of cancer.

"Half the population of dogs and cats aged 10 and over will die of cancer," said Alice Villalobos, a noted veterinarian and author. "The bonds that clients have developed with their older pets are especially strong and drive the increasing demand for more proficient and highly compassionate medical treatment of companion animals diagnosed with cancer."

Learn more about The Morris Animal Foundation and their fight to save dogs and their owners from the devastating effects of cancer at www.curecaninecancer.org or learn about all of the MAF initiatives at www.morrisanimalfoundation.org.

Get Rewarded for Referring Friends with the Pets Best Referral Program

Angela Klein — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Did you know you can earn redeemable points each time a friend you've referred purchases a policy? Start earning points you can redeem for gift certificates at stores you already love. Now, friendship and rewards go hand in hand.

By referring friends, you can easily earn gift certificates valued between $15 and $50 at popular merchants. Set up a referral account quickly and easily through our online account access, and when you send friends to us, be sure to have them sign up through your referral link so we can credit points to your account.

Log on to your account (or set one up for the first time) to learn more, access account information and start earning points when you refer your friends to Pets Best!

If you haven't had a chance to register for online account access to see your processed claims and policy information, take a minute to find out how simple it is to access your account online!

*Not available in all states, certain restrictions may apply.

Prescribing Pets Not Pills

Angela Klein — Thu, 08 May 2008 00:00:00 GMT

Heather from Health-bee.com, a blog she maintains about wellness for women, knows what it's like to live with depression. Getting a dog helped, she said, brought her laughter and a reason to get out of bed in the morning. "I can honestly say that my dog is a big reason I am no longer depressed," she said.

Recent studies have continued to show what Heather and others already know: pets are good for us. Looking at the multiple reasons why, it's easy to see.

Pets get us up and moving. By walking our dogs or going to the store to buy food and treats for our cats, we're doing more than just sitting. As the endorphins start to flow from our exercise, we feel better.

Having a pet means that we're no longer alone, and even if we already live with others, the addition of a pet can still help tremendously. Anyone who has ever seen a dog look at its owner will understand the meaning of pure, unadulterated love. Pets look to us to meet their needs, be part of their pack, and thrive on the attention and affection we give. In return, they provide a love that asks for little and gives much.

A study several years ago at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom studied the physical and psychological health benefits of owning a pet and found that people who walk their dogs, in particular, are less prone to depression and loneliness, and have fewer problems with obesity, heart disease, diabetes and cancer.

Dr. Jack Stephens, president and founder of Pets Best Insurance, has been preaching about the power of pets for years as he has seen person after person, including himself, helped by the love of a pet.

"More and more social and healthcare professions are seeing the value of pets in helping to keep us healthy and improving our health when we are ill, stressed or depressed," Stephens said.

"The quiet interaction of petting a pet will lower your blood pressure, decrease your stress hormone and increase the levels of good hormones and neurotransmitters which will all help you feel better."

Stephens goes on to add that spending time with our pets also increases our serotonin levels, which helps combat depression, and walking our pets helps us lose weight, keep it off and improves our overall sense of well-being.

Not only can walking a dog improve our moods and help us maintain our weight, the study by researchers at the University of Portsmouth also showed that we make more friends when we're out walking our pets, which also eases loneliness and depression.

Giving us passion and purpose, providing a source of unconditional love and acceptance and getting us out and about - that's what our pets do for us. So the next time you bend down to scratch your furry friends, remember to whisper an extra "thank you" for all they do without even knowing.

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