From Holding Protest Signs to Holding Rescue Puppies

This weekend I helped transport four adorable puppies with Paws on the Ground after spending the rest of the day mailing items from our recent fundraising auction, picking up a donation of supplies, and cleaning and readying crates for transport. Since the beginning of the year we have been working to help a local retail pet store offer rescue puppies for adoption. Here in Colorado we have a licensing and inspection program that oversees all aspects of pet care, both retail and rescue, and we have to be sure that we comply with their requirements. We had a total of thirteen puppies arriving from New Mexico, four going to foster and nine going to the store we are working with. The transport would not be possible without From Forgotten to Forever whose volunteers devote every weekend to long-distance driving with a van full of precious spared lives. The van has designated drop-off points and they have the process down to a science. A Facebook message thread keeps everyone up-to-date on their estimated arrival times, dogs are transfered, pictures are taken, and they are on to their next stop. Between our own volunteers and those from other organizations, we formed a small tribe of animal lovers in the parking lot, sharing stories, appreciation, and excitement about the adorable cargo soon arriving. Mostly, we can't wait to get our hands on those puppies!

I was delighted to get to take a litter of four girls (my favorite!) with beautiful markings (my favorite!), one of which even had an eye-patch (my absolute favorite!).The first dog lifted down to me from the transport van was the eye-patch girl, who we decided to call Panda. Her three sisters, Polar, Pippa and Pearl followed, and I got them situated in their travel crates in pairs. Although they won't have them for long, the puppies need temporary names to help us identify them in our database, record-keeping and spay or neuter appointments. I contemplated making a run for it with this stunning girl, but I had three more puppies waiting for a ride. The four girls cried and howled pitifully the entire way - it was heartbreaking and all I wanted to do was pull over and comfort them. I played some Prince for them and made my way to the store as quickly and carefully as possible. 

Once they were checked over and cleaned off (let's just say my car was NOT smelling very good by the time we arrived), the puppies were placed in their enclosures. These puppies have endured so much already, from being abandoned or even born in overcrowded shelters with little chance of adoption, to a long road trip that could be scary since they don't understand where they are going next. It's incredible to see how resilient they are, often going straight to playing in their new environment. The new arrivals always attract a lot of attention and I loved having the chance to educate about rescue and encourage adoption. Every time I go the store I talk with someone who tells me they are there because they heard about Paws on the Ground. Doing the right thing is good for business! A lot of people asked what kind these four were - they were listed as lab mixes on the transport, but I don't see that at all - any guesses?

Once they were settled in, I had a chance to observe the puppies' different personalities and get a closer look at them. Each of these four has the most exquisite eyes in different combinations of green and blue. One puppy has one blue eye and one half-blue, half-green eye! My little favorite proved to have the personality type I'm drawn to as well: observant and contemplative. While her sisters played, Panda say quietly in the corner taking everything in, or standing up and asking to be held when someone walked over. Often the rescue puppies are picked faster than those other puppies at the store, so I have no doubt that she will find her person soon, along with the eight other puppies we delivered. It's an extremely surreal experience being inside the store I spent almost six months protesting, joking with the owner and partnering to get these dogs out of danger and into loving homes. I couldn't have imagined last year that I'd go from spending my volunteer hours holding protest signs, to holding puppies that we helped save!

Paws on the Ground is now putting together an even bigger rescue effort, in conjunction with several other organizations across multiple states: a rescue flight with the potential to save up to 100 dogs. I'd be so grateful if you'd check out the GoFundMe page, donate and/or share if you can!

What to Look For When Reviewing Pet Insurance

Pets are important members of the family. They require care, which often includes medical care. Vet bills can become rather costly. If your pet becomes seriously ill or gets injured then you are stuck trying to find the money to pay for extensive medical treatment. insurance can help lessen the burden on your family's finances when your pet needs serious medical help. Choosing the right insurance for your pets can be done through looking at pet insurance reviews.

Pet insurance reviews will often point out certain aspects of the insurance coverage that are important. These reviews can tell you if the insurance coverage is worth the cost. You can learn what the insurance covers and if it would suit your pet's needs or future needs.

There are many factors that you should be considering when choosing pet insurance. As you read pet insurance reviews make sure that you look at what people have to say about the following points:
Age of your pet: Look a provider that offers insurance to pets of all ages. It is ideal to buy when your pet is young because you will usually get better rates, but if you have an older pet you want to find a provider who offers insurance for them even if they have pre-existing conditions.

Your pets breed: With dogs, specifically, some breeds have specific medical conditions that may be excluded from a policy. You want to look around at pet insurance reviews to see if the type of pet you have or your pet's breed gets adequate coverage.

Veterinarians on the policy: Another important thing to note when reading pet insurance reviews is what veterinarians are covered and if you get to choose what vet you use. Some policies may dictate that you use a certain provider or limit you to only a few choices.

Coverage: A very important point is to consider the coverage under the policy. You should think about your pet's needs and if the policy offers you coverage that is suited to the medical care your pet may need.

Coverage area: When looking at pet reviews try to find reviews from people in your state. Not every insurance providers offers coverage in all states. You need to be sure that the insurance you get is valid in your state of residence.

Company reputation: One of the best things you can learn from pet reviews is about the company's reputation. Pay close attention to what people say about their experience in dealing with the company. Look for good reviews about customer service and look for people who are generally happy with the service they get from the company.

Finding reliable pet insurance is a good move if you are a dedicated pet owner. Pet's can be quite expensive over the years and a good pet insurance can really help you to keep pet medical expenses under control and ensure that you can afford to get your pet he medical care it needs.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/4149619

Is Pet Insurance Really Worth It?

In the 1980's pet insurance first came on the scene and for many pet owner's they were thrilled until they saw what was being offered and the limitations of these plans. There was only one company that offered insurance and it was only for extreme cases, such as if a pet had cancer and it paid very little of the treatment costs. Therefore, many pet owners were frustrated with the offerings and never looked into insurance for their pets again.

However, pet insurance has come a long way since its early days and while it is still relatively new, there are several companies that the consumer can choose from. Moreover, the coverage is much more comprehensive and even includes add-ons such as wellness, which means that the annual vaccinations and office exams can also be covered.

How does an insurance policy on your pet work? Simple. If you had to take your dog or cat in for an ear infection and it ended up costing $600 for treatment and medications, you pay the bill, then file a claim with your pet's insurance company. Depending on the plan, they typically have a deductible of $50 to $100 and then pay 80 to 90 percent of the bill. Therefore, if the plan had a $50 deductible and paid 90 percent of the cost, you would get a check back from the insurance company for $495. This a substantial savings for you, and many policies offer the wellness option that includes your pet's annual physicals, vaccinations, and many times heart-worm medications and tests.

Today, cheap pet insurance has advanced significantly so that you can make sure your pet is covered from babyhood into old age. Keep in mind that premiums are often based on the age of your pet and some companies will not insure your pet if it is over 10 years of age. However, if you have your pet insured, your insurance will not be canceled once the pet turns 10, which is why it is important to have them covered as early as possible.
You may be thinking with all the advancements in cheap pet insurance that it may be expensive, but the truth is, it is still very affordable and if you have more than one pet, you can get a percentage of a discount when you insure them at the same time. It truly is a great way to keep your finances protected and be able to make sure your pet gets the care they need, when they need it. Lastly, shop around for insurance, because some of them are very unique and may not be what you are looking for. However, with a bit of research, you will find the perfect plan that is cost-effective for you and protects your pet at the same time.

GuardMyPet offers a cheap pet insurance program benefits for your pet to give you peace of mind. Diseases and accidents are very costly with veterinarian charges, so we chose to offer our customers the most popular cheap pet insurance in the industry, and is available at affordable rates.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/5406552

How to Select the Best Insurance for Your Pet

As pet owners, it is only natural that we look after the health and welfare of our pets. In fact, it is one of the most important priority that entails being a pet owner. But it is no doubt that there will come a time that your pets will need medical attention such as when they become ill or be involved in an unfortunate accident. When that time comes that is an expense that lies over your shoulders. And those expenses comes at a very steep price. Fortunately, there are pet insurances that are offered for home owners who wants to protect themselves financially in times that their pets need medical attention. Some pet owners are downright apprehensive when it comes to the subject of pet insurance with the notion that it is unnecessary. But such notion is false because pet insurance prevents you from placing yourself into a hair-pulling situation, financially speaking. Having a pet insurance policy is an indication that you are a responsible pet owner. So how do you get the best insurance for your pet? Here are some tips to help you:

• Before you go around looking for the best pet insurance, you need to aware of your budget first. Determine how much are you willing to allocate for your pet's insurance. This step definitely helps in funneling down your options. Sometimes you may need to be flexible in case you see a good insurance deal, but in general it is recommended that you stay within your budget.


• We all know that the matter of insurance can be quite complex, so be sure that you orient yourself with how pet insurance policies work. Terms and conditions such as the services that the insurance policy will cover are also worth knowing. Will it include veterinarian visits? Vaccinations? Surgery? It is best that you know the options that are available to you.


• When it comes to the matter that concerns your pet, it is best that you consult with an expert. For starters, you could ask for advice regarding pet insurance from your veterinarian. Maybe they can give some insights on what's best for your pet or they could make a good referral or recommendation.


• Don't go up rushing to the first insurance policy that you come across. It is recommended that you take a look at several insurance policies. This is so you can make comparisons with regards to the details of these insurance policies like coverage, rates and other services. This step gives you the ability to make a more informed decision and to make sure that you are getting the best pet insurance available. Just make sure that the services that you prefer or need is actually offered in your final choice of pet insurance.


• The best way for you to know if a particular insurance policy is for you is to visit the office of the insurance company personally. Make an appointment and listen to what they can offer for your pet. This should be a perfect time as well to ask whatever inquiries that you have.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6171435

Insuring Your Dachshund Puppies Healthy Life With Pet Insurance

You may not be aware of them all, but there are many benefits of pet insurance. Insuring your dachshund puppy can be one of the best decisions you make as a pet owner. Some of the biggest benefits of pet insurance are the significant savings on emergency medical treatment, discounts on routine veterinary checkups, and just simple peace of mind for pet owners knowing that your dachshund puppy will be taken care of in the event of an emergency or accident.

Pet Insurance for Emergencies:

The protection that pet insurance provides against medical expenses from accidents, emergencies, illnesses, and other unforeseen occurrences is definitely one of the most important benefits of insuring your dachshund puppy. As you may unfortunately know, visits to the veterinary emergency room can easily cost you hundreds or even thousands of dollars, leaving you in a financial bind. That is why it is so important to insure your pet. A good health insurance policy is one that covers surgeries, hospitalization, x-rays, lab tests and fees, chemotherapy, and prescription drugs. Having such a plan in place will save you a significant amount of money if an emergency arises in your beloved dachshund puppy. As with most insurance plans, 100% of emergency medical expenses are not covered, but there are policies out there that reimburse at a rate of 80% or more. Just do your research to find the best insurance coverage and plan for your pet.

Pet Insurance for Routine Checkups:

Another very important and helpful benefit of pet health insurance for your dachshund puppy is coverage of routine checkups and preventive procedures. As you will find, many pet insurance providers offer this type of coverage in the form of 'wellness plans.' Wellness plans are great because they are often available as stand-alone policies for pet owners who would like some insurance, but are not quite willing to commit to one of the more comprehensive policies. Wellness plans may include provisions for yearly physicals, shots and vaccinations, dental exams, and blood screens, and some even cover treatments for flea and tick control. These types of plans are very beneficial and help your dachshund puppy lead a longer and healthier life.

Peace of Mind with Pet Insurance:

Another great and important benefit of carrying pet health insurance is the peace of mind it gives to you, the pet owner. The medical bills associated with long illnesses or horrible accidents can quickly add up to astonishing amounts. In the midst of those emotionally trying times, pet owners are often faced with big decisions....whether to pay for an expensive procedure that may or may not save your dachshund puppy's life, or euthanize him. As much as owners love their pets and see them as part of the family, it is not always a financially responsible decision to pay for certain medical procedures. It is at those times, that a pet health insurance policy can be a true miracle. Since most emergency operations are covered by comprehensive insurance policies, you do not have to torture yourself over whether or not you should pay for a particular surgery or procedure in an attempt to save your dachshund puppy's life. Having the right pet health insurance policy, will give you peace of mind, knowing that the insurance company will pick up the tab for most of the medical expenses accumulated in these vital situations.

As you can see, there are so many advantages to insuring your dachshund puppy. The benefits of pet insurance are tremendous and will leave you with great peace of mind. It is very important for you to do your homework prior to signing your pet up for insurance though. You should always carefully review the exact terms of the health plan you are considering, as coverage varies greatly from policy to policy and from provider to provider. It is crucial that you as the owner, become very familiar with the terms of your dachshund puppy's insurance policy before a health crisis arises. Doing so, will help you be prepared to make informed decisions about treatment options for your dachshund puppy.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6228869

Cat Pet Insurance: Deciding If It Will Benefit You and Your Cat

As you may know, cats make wonderful pets. They come into our lives and become companions and beloved friends. For most cat owners they become a special part of the family. They're always there sitting on the window ledge, sleeping on the couch or welcoming us home hoping for some playtime and a treat. We love our cats and they love us back in their own special way.

Our cats mean a lot to us and we can't imagine anything happening to them.

We feed them nutritious food and treats, give them fun toys to play with and watch them as they grow from a playful kitten to lovable, curious cat. We spend our days enjoying each other's company without really worrying about anything unexpected happening.

We've always had cats around. We were the happy owners of four cats up to a year ago. We have two cats now. The unexpected happened to us. Unfortunately we weren't prepared since we thought our cats were well taken care of, well loved and would always remain healthy.

When they became sick, it was too late. What they had was untreatable but we tried anyway and in the end we were left with a huge Vet bill and no cats. The loss of two cats was tough enough and the Vet fees only compounded the situation.

If we had Pet Insurance it might have made dealing with everything less stressful by giving us one less thing to worry about. Do you think an Insurance policy for our cats would have been a benefit to us? Most likely.

Owners that dearly love and care for their cats should consider buying a cat health insurance policy. But what are the benefits? Is it something you must have in order to avoid having the same thing that happened to us, happen to you?

We put together some thoughts that helped us decide whether having Pet Insurance would benefit us and our two remaining cats. These ideas may help you make the same decision for you and your cats.

What are the Long Term Benefits of Pet Insurance?
Depending on the plan you select the cost may seem too high to warrant buying Pet Insurance. It might be better to put some money aside for emergencies. It is an additional expense on your part but it can pay for itself later on down the road. You can also look at it as an investment in the safety, protection and health of your cat.

Like all insurance, cat pet insurance is something you need but hope you never have to use. It's a preemptive measure that you should consider taking early on in your cats life to be able to handle any unfortunate situations, which brings us to our next point.

How soon should I buy Health Insurance for my cat?
It's never too late as long as your cat is in good health. As a rule it is best to start looking for a plan when your cat is young and healthy. This way you can take more time to learn about cat Pet insurance and find a plan that works best for your needs.

If you do buy a policy you can be assured that whatever happens, your cat will get the care they need in a timely manner. In the case of sickness, or even an accident, you know that your cat will get the best medical attention. Having pet insurance will also provide peace of mind knowing that your pet is safe.

What benefit does it have to offer cat owners?
cat insurance provides financial protection for many cat owners and health protection for their cats. Everyone can sleep better at night knowing that they won't need to worry as much about sudden surprises that can inevitably lead to large Vet bills.

Money becomes less of an issue with the right policy and you can focus you attention on your cat. You'll also be able to act without any hesitation and get your cat to the Vets quickly for immediate medical attention.

Is pet insurance worth the cost?
Purchasing a pet health care insurance policy is a great idea from a financial standpoint. This may not be too apparent in the beginning but Vet bills can add up and become expensive. By investing in a cat health care insurance plan, you are protecting yourself from the risk taking on any unneeded debt.

Without pet insurance for your cat money can become one of the main deciding factors when choosing the right medical attention for your cat. Unless you have the funds available you may run into trouble if you simply can't afford treatment for your cat?

Buying pet insurance for your cat is your way of expressing your love for your pet by looking out for his or her well being.

Cat pet insurance will effectively reduce most money concerns when it comes to providing care for your cat. Depending on your cat's coverage you may not have to worry about paying a high premium.

There are many cheap pet insurance plans available out there that you can also consider when searching for a policy. Be sure to do you research as best you can and understand all of the features before deciding if pet insurance will benefit everyone concerned.



Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6361922

Pet Insurance Reviews - Is Cheap Pet Insurance the Best?

Health insurance is something almost everyone has, or strives to have. In addition, many people also get pet health insurance as well. Animals are a very important part of most families just like the rest of the family members and sometimes even more. Most people don't realize that there are now many options out there for pet health insurance and most are much more reasonable and affordable than what we have available for ourselves.

Most pet health insurance policies cover all basic needed services such as spaying and neutering, de-worming, shots, and basic tests such as leukemia testing. Most of these pet health insurance policies offer different tiers to choose from depending on the age and specific needs of the pet. Rather than having to pay outright and break your pocket book for needed vet visits these policies enable you to make low monthly payments, and not owe anything at the time of the visit.

When checking out pet insurance reviews, going for the cheap pet insurance may or may not be the best idea depending on your pets needs. The cheapest pet insurance usually only covers the basic needs of the pet for example; vaccinations, de-worming, etc. When going through a pet insurance review make sure you get the level of coverage that is most accommodating to your needs as well.

Below is a list of the different kinds of coverage pet health insurance usually offers to aid in finding and selecting the best pet health insurance plan for your animals needs. Unfortunately pets just like people get health issues, and it's just heart breaking when this happens and you're not prepared or able to get your pet the help they need. Similar to our health insurance depending on the type of visit there may be added expenses that may need to be paid, but those can normally be taken care of at a later date in easier to pay monthly installments along with your pet insurance costs. This makes properly caring for your animals a lot more feasible.

When Does an Individual Not Need Pet Insurance?

This is a tricky question. For some, the cost of caring for a pet may be unjustified if the finances are above the individuals needs. In addition, some may feel that smaller pets, ie; rats, mice, frogs, etc. may not be the best candidates for pet insurance and the pet insurance cost may not be justified. This is also determined on an owner-by-owner basis and is strictly up to the pet owners discretion.

Another time when pet insurance is not needed is when a pet owner is completely capable of paying the vet bills without strain at any given moment. Many people have very healthy pets and only want to pay when the pet is sick or in need of treatment. This is completely o.k. for plenty of individuals. In general, pet insurance is for those who don't want to pay a lump sum, but find it more affordable to pay ahead of time and be covered when the time is right.

Unfortunately there are many individuals that don't take their pets to the vet at all. This can lead to undiagnosed illnesses, and a lower quality of health. For example, it's very important to take your cats in for leukemia testing as it has become a common fatality among the feline society. Most kittens also require de-worming and de-fleeing which is very important to their health and development. We are offering here resources to some of the cheapest pet health insurance so that everyone can find a plan that can work for them and their pet.

The benefits for having pet insurance are abundant though unfortunately it may not be financially feasible for everyone at least it is to most. Below is an example of what a tiered plan may offer:

-Leukemia testing and shots

-de-worming

-de-fleeing

-spaying and neutering

-rabies vaccination

-heartworm testing

-fecal exam

-coronavirus vaccinations

-canine and feline distemper vaccinations

-Treatment and medication for illness

-Treatment and medication for injury

-Annual physical exam

*A plan like this would normally run you anywhere from $25 to $35 a month per pet.

This is an example of a well rounded option for a plan that includes wellness as well as continuing care and accidents which could be most important as they account for the larger bills and can never be planned for. There are also plans lower than the above. one such as this that is just strictly accidental coverage, which may be a good option for some as well that are not so much concerned with the costs of routine visits but are with the possibility of accidents. There are also of course plans higher than this as well that offer additional services to the plan, but for most this would be sufficient.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/1993838