Pet Insurance Articles



Summary
With pet theft now the UK 's fastest growing crime, this article gives helpful tips to help you avoid becoming a victim and how pet insurance could help you – should the worst happen.

Pet Insurance. Tackling The Fastest Growing Crime In The UK .

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It may not be quite as well known as being mugged for your mobile phone or iPod but pet theft has recently become the UK 's fastest growing crime. An estimated 50,000 dogs are stolen each year in the UK and of those 50,000, around 40,000 have been reported to pet insurers.

The problems of pet theft – and especially dog theft, are inherent in the way that our faithful friends fit into our daily lives. For most of us, tying a dog up whilst you nip into the newsagents or whilst doing your weekly shop at the supermarket is almost second nature but all it takes is for a thief to untie a simple knot and that may be the last you see of your dog. It would seem that in this day and age, leaving your dog tied up unattended, especially in a busy public place, is just too tempting for a thief to turn down.

Pet theft has become big business throughout the criminal world with all people, including celebrities under seemingly 24 hour surveillance, a potential target. And it is not just pedigree pets stolen to order to be sold on that are at risk, you may find your precious family pet stolen and the thieves demanding a ransom for them to be returned safely.

As the majority of pets stolen are dogs, to reduce the risk of your dog being stolen or to facilitate any efforts to recover your pet, it is worthwhile bearing in mind the following points:

  • Ensure your dog is wearing a collar and identification tag at all times with your name, address and contact details clearly displayed. A collar and identification tag is a legal requirement when taking your dog out in public place in any case.
  • Have your dog fitted with a microchip (which are available via the Kennel Club Pet Reunification Service) or tattooed so that they can be identified by a permanent means. Ideally you should have both carried out.
  • Keep all relevant documentation relating to your dog in a safe, secure place and also include photographs of your dog from both the front and from the sides. This will provide a visual means of identification if your pet is stolen or even lost.
  • When walking your dog, keep your dog in sight at all times as this is a prime time for dog thieves to act. If your dog does have a tendency to disappear then train them to remain close by or use a long extendable leash until trained.
  • Try not to stick to a rigid routine when walking your dog as this will give a potential thief a good awareness of your habits and time to identify when you are most vulnerable to theft.
  • Ensure that your garden remains secure at all times. Not only do you not want your dog to get out but also allowing easy access for trespassers and potential thieves makes their job a whole lot easier.
  • Try not to leave your dog tied up outside when in a shop or at least make sure that your dog is in view at all times. Even a window of a few seconds could be enough for a thief to make off with your dog.
  • Avoid leaving your dog alone in your car. On top of the well documented health reasons for not leaving a dog in a hot car, you may be allowing easy access to your pet.
  • Make arrangements for who will own your dog should you die or if a relationship breaks down.

    • Despite taking all the above precautions, unfortunately there is no sure fire way to deter pet thieves and if you do find yourself a victim of dog theft, you should make sure you carry out the following:

    1. Report the theft to your local police authority as soon as possible ensuring you get a crime reference number.
    2. Notify your local dog warden immediately so that they can keep an eye out for your dog.
    3. If you have had your dog fitted with a microchip, contact Petlog as soon as possible or visit www.doglost.co.uk, a useful lost and found database.
    4. As soon as the theft occurs, put posters up in the local area.

    How Pet Insurance Can Help You

    Although there is no guaranteed to ensure that you are not a victim of pet theft, getting pet insurance can help in various ways.

    Most immediately, the majority of good policies will help pay for the costs of advertising your theft, will help to offer a reward for the safe return of your pet and should your pet be located, transportation home. The amount that can be claimed for each theft vary from insurer to insurer but are generally between 200 pounds and 1,000 pounds.

    If the worst happens and your animal does not return then you will be recompensed in line with the value of the animal with maximum payouts for stolen dogs ranging from 500 pounds up to 1,500 pounds. Most claims are paid out after a certain time period has elapsed with animals generally having to be away from home from 30 to 90 days.

    Companies that offer pet insurance include the Kennel Club, PetPlan, E&L and Marks & Spencer although many other mainstream insurance companies also offer this type of insurance. Instant quotes and in some cases, the best deals, can be obtained via the Internet and many online discounts also available.