ASPCA Launches ‘ASPCA Pet Health Insurance’

NEW YORK, October 3 - The ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R)) today announced a brand-new offering that will improve the quality of life for pets and pet parents throughout the United States, and that comes with the backing of the country's oldest animal welfare organization: ASPCA Pet Health Insurance. While pet insurance has been growing in popularity in recent years, this is the first product of its kind to be developed for and branded by a national animal welfare organization. For more information, please visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com.

"The ASPCA is committed to constantly trying to improve the quality of life for pets and pet parents," said ASPCA President & CEO Ed Sayres. "Veterinary costs are an important part of animal care, and have been rising by approximately six percent annually. Too often, pet parents are faced with an impossible choice: the health, sometimes survival, of their pets - or their financial well-being. No one should have to make such a decision. With the many plan options provided by ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, our hope is that pet parents will breathe easier, and pets will live longer, healthier lives."

Because of its unique and highly-regarded position as the country's oldest animal welfare organization, the ASPCA looked closely at potential insurance partners before selecting Petsmarketing Insurance.com Agency, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Hartville Group, Inc., to administer its pet insurance offering. Hartville is about to celebrate its tenth anniversary as a provider of health insurance plans for cats and dogs. Located in Canton, Ohio, the company operates its own call center and underwriting divisions, and has unique, proprietary actuarial records and operating systems.

"We were very excited to develop this unique offering for the ASPCA," said Dennis Rushovich, Chief Executive Officer of the Hartville Group. "During the development process, we made sure to keep anti-cruelty at the forefront, so that the ASPCA's mission would not be compromised in any way. I believe that is reflected in our plans, which offer various levels of wellness coverage and spay/neuter costs. Further, surgical treatments to which the ASPCA is opposed, such as tail docking, ear cropping and declawing are not covered, aligning with their mission of preventing cruelty to animals in the name of aesthetic 'enhancement.'"

With the introduction of ASPCA Pet Health Insurance, the ASPCA aims to ensure there is no coverage discrimination against the mixed-breeds that make up much of today's adoptable population of cats and dogs. ASPCA Pet Health Insurance pays out based on treatments actually applied by the veterinarian, not according to tables matched to the veterinarian's diagnosis. Payouts are adjusted by region, thus relating directly to the cost of living in different areas of the country. For more information on ASPCA Pet Health Insurance and the different plans offered, please visit www.aspcapetinsurance.com.

About the ASPCA(R)

Founded in 1866, the ASPCA(R) (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals(R)) was the first humane organization established in the western hemisphere and today has one million supporters. The ASPCA's mission is to provide effective means for the prevention of cruelty to animals throughout the United States. The ASPCA provides national leadership in humane education, government affairs and public policy, shelter support, and animal poison control. The NYC headquarters houses a full-service animal hospital, animal behavior center, and adoption facility. The Humane Law Enforcement department enforces New York's animal cruelty laws and is featured on the reality television series Animal Precinct on Animal Planet. Visit www.aspca.org for more information.

SOURCE ASPCA

CONTACT:

Shonali Burke
ASPCA
212-876-7700 x4565
[email protected]

or

Vicki Pratt of The Hartville Group
330-484-8143
[email protected], for the ASPCA