NEWTOWN SQUARE, Pa. (PRWEB) July 24, 2018

Here at Petplan pet insurance, there are basically two types of people: dog people and cat people. So, that got us thinking: How different are dog people and cat people? We recently surveyed more than 4,500 dog and cat parents and asked them all kinds of questions, from how often they dine out to whether they're "Keeping up with the Kardashians." We asked, they answered, and many of the results were surprising.

The first thing we learned was that we were wrong; there aren't just dog people and cat people. Roughly 17 percent of respondents reported having both cats and dogs in the same household. As many as 56 percent of cat owners own more than one kitty, while a mere 32 percent of our dog families had more than one pooch.

Is reality TV headed for the doghouse?
Unscripted television is all the rage right now, and the shows that seem to dominate the airwaves and the tabloids are the Kardashians and Housewives. Both have stars that boast about how much they love their animals, so we wondered if this endears them to our policyholders. We didn't expect that only 8 percent of cat parents surveyed are fans of either series, while only 11 percent of dog owners indulge in either one. That means a whopping 81 percent admitted to not watching either series.

The Bachelor and Bachelorette series fared only slightly better, with 19 percent of pet parents admitting to following the shows.

Simon says … love me?
NBC's "America's Got Talent" judge Simon Cowell has been a fan favorite going back to his "American Idol" days. We thought this would be a perfect opportunity to let the Petplan pack judge the king of judges. Yet again, dog people and cat people proved to be the same. Both love Cowell more than any other AGT judge. Perhaps swayed by Cowell's personal love of animals, 40 percent of dog people and 41 percent of cat people find Cowell their favorite by at least 8 percent over second-favorite Howie Mandel. Former Spice Girls singer Mel B was the least favorite judge in both surveys.

What's on the menu?
The availability of "doggie bags" at restaurants doesn't mean that dog owners dine out more often than cat people; in fact, dog parents were 3 percent more inclined to cook at home and 3 percent more likely to enjoy a beer. Cat parents enjoying a night on the town were three times more likely than dog parents to use public transportation and were 3 percent more likely to have a glass of wine. For both cat and dog parents, about 33 percent don't drink alcoholic beverages.

Leisure destination: library, park, or theater?
With so much going on in the world right now, who has time to read, right? Well … cat owners, apparently, and we're jealous. Reading was the most popular hobby for cat parents, with 18 percent reading more than 20 books per year. For dog parents, reading fell to a close second behind outdoor activities and sports. The average number of movie theater visits per was nearly identical between cat and dog parents, although cat fans were more 2 percent more likely to see 10 or more movies per year.

"While cats and dogs have very different personalities, we found through this fun-loving survey that dog and cat parents are actually very similar," said Steve Shell, Petplan's co-CEO. "No matter how different everyone is, being a responsible pet parent and making sure our furry friends are taken care of, especially in times of injury or illness, should be top priority."

Regardless of their differences, the cat parents and dog parents who shared their personal insights all had one thing in common: Their pets were Petplan protected. For more information about how Petplan can protect your pets, visit Petplan.com or call 866.467.3875.

ABOUT PETPLAN
Petplan has built an industry-leading pet insurance policy for pet parents who demand a higher pedigree of care for their best friends. We've leveraged 40 years of global experience to create completely customizable coverage pet parents can feel confident in, and world-class claims service that operates 24 hours a day, every day.

Petplan's innovative approach to pet insurance has been recognized by Forbes, Financial Times, Bloomberg, Inc. magazine, Smart CEO, the Communicator Awards, Ernst & Young and many others.

Petplan policies are underwritten in the United States by XL Specialty Insurance Company and in Canada by XL Specialty Insurance Company - Canadian Branch. The company is rated A+ by S&P (2018). Coverage may not be available in all jurisdictions. For more information about Petplan pet insurance, visit Petplan.com or call 866.467.3875.

Read the full story at https://www.prweb.com/releases/cat_people_versus_dog_people_petplan_polls_pet_parents/prweb15643856.htm

In 1967, while finishing his senior year at Ohio State University, Marv Feldman signed his first insurance contract with New York Life. At the time, he was just another face in an industry where 90% of new agents flame out within 12 months.

Feldman didn’t just beat those odds; he spent the next six decades redefining them.

The industry veteran, who began his career knocking on doors and cold-calling prospects for more than two years before entering New York Life’s management training program, eventually returned to personal production in 1974. At age 28, he became a partner at the Feldman Agency in East Liverpool and president of Fremar Financial Group.

As the son of the legendary Ben Feldman, often referred to as the best insurance agent ever, he walked in big shadows. But Marv Feldman carved out his own path defined by high-level leadership and advocacy.

Feldman served as a past president of the Million Dollar Round Table and was honored in 2011 with the the industry's highest accolade, the John Newton Russell Memorial Award from the National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors.

Feldman concluded his nearly 60-year career as the CEO of Life Happens, leaving behind a legacy of service that earned him widespread respect across the financial services landscape.

“He was a great leader, husband and father and will sorely be missed,” said John W. Wheeler, Jr., NAIFA president elect. “He had countless contributions to the industry with unquestionable dignity and wisdom.”

Feldman died Wednesday at age 80, surrounded by his family.

“I always said I wanted to be remembered first as a great husband and father… and oh, by the way, a guy who happened to be successful in the insurance industry,” Feldman said in a final message shared by his family on social media.

Generous with his time

In an industry that can all too often seem transactional, Feldman was known for giving his time. When NAIFA Los Angeles worked through then-Mayor Eric Garcetti’s office to establish Life Insurance Awareness Month, Gilbert Z. Mares, NAIFA LA president at the time, recalls Feldman flying 3,000 miles to show in-person support.

Not just the initial year [2014] either, said Mares, head of Gilbert Z. Mares & Associates Insurance agency in San Marino, Calif., but for several years afterward.

“He loved attending,” Mares said.

By then, Feldman’s passion was Life Happens, an industry-supported marketing group based in Washington, D.C. He worked with a small staff to educate consumers on the importance of life insurance in protecting families' financial futures.

Richard M. Weber remembers working with Feldman when Weber served on the executive committee of the Society of Financial Service Professionals about 15 years ago. FSP, which merged into NAIFA in 2024, was one of several trade groups that would meet once a year to “find common ground and collaborate,” Weber explained.

“I especially remember his mediation skills at ‘herding cats,’” Weber recalled. “Taking leadership in getting all these organizations to work together.”

In 2016, Feldman published his memoir titled Man On A Mission: How to Succeed, Serve, and Make a Difference in Your Financial Services Career. The book sports 4.8 stars (out of 5) on 80 Amazon reviews.

"Marvin Feldman is one of the professionals that I dare you to ignore at the cost of your long-term career development," wrote David H. Kinder, longtime agent and financial consultant. "For the new agent, I believe it's a wonderful primer to this career.”

Dedication is 'beyond reproach'

Marv Feldman’s career accomplishments are almost too numerous to mention.

He was the 2002 president of the Million Dollar Round Table and a member of the elite Top of the Table for 41 years. He was honored as the Circle of Life recipient in 2004 by the Million Dollar Round Table Foundation in recognition of his community and industry leadership.

Feldman gave speeches in 40 countries. He served as the Secretary of New York Life's Agent's Advisory Council, and was named to Insurance Newscast's list of the 100 most powerful people in the insurance industry in North America

The late Terry K. Headley, NAIFA’s 2011 president, had this to say about Feldman upon his selection for the John Newton Russell Award: “Marv’s dedication to the institution of life insurance and the industry is beyond reproach. I can’t think of a better ambassador for our business, our industry, and our profession. As a highly successful agent for many years, Marv clearly understands and appreciates the essential role of agents, who perform the vital job of protecting the financial security of American families.”

Later in life, he led Feldman Financial Group in Clearwater and Palm Harbor, Fla., building a practice "known for professionalism, mentorship, and service to clients," NAIFA said.

Like many, Michael Weintraub, former principal and co-founder of Next Step Retirement & Insurance Services, will most remember Feldman never missing a chance to enjoy the simple joys of life and trying to make people laugh.

Many years ago, Mike and Paula Weintraub and Marv and Vicki Feldman went to see a Broadway musical in Toronto.

“During intermission, Marv looked at me and said something like, ‘Let’s go find some real food,’” Mike Weintraub recalled. “The two of us quietly slipped out of the theater and ran down the street to a food truck for hot dogs and those amazing Toronto french fries.”

The wives eventually tracked them down and the foursome hurried back to their seats just as the curtain was rising, he added, “both of us with mustard on our chins.”

Feldman “was respected and loved by so many of us,” Weintraub said. “I feel fortunate to have called him a friend for so many years.”

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