£9,700 to insure pug Bruce... how does anyone afford a pet?
THOUGH it’s a cliche, a pet is for life, not just for Christmas. And as we race towards yuletide, it’s a message many households would be wise to heed, especially if a pedigree dog is on the family’s list to Santa.
I say this after speaking to 65year-old Pauline Parsons, who has owned cats and a dog on and off for the past 30 years. Pauline, married to 75-year-old Alan and living in Gloucester, is never happier than when surrounded by pets, and is comforted by the unconditional love they offer.
‘Many people like me and Alan need pets in our lives,’ she says. Yet Pauline warns that owning a pet can put immense pressure on the household finances if health issues bubble to the surface and vets’ bills need to be paid – especially with pet insurance premiums starting to move skywards.
Earlier this year, in response to an article I wrote on rising pet insurance premiums, Pauline told me how expensive it was proving to keep her eight-year-old pug Bruce in good health.
Pugs, like many other pedigree dogs, are prone to health issues – in this breed’s case, breathing problems caused by skin folds in the mouth, as well as eye ulcers.
Sadly, just over two weeks ago, Bruce was put down after an unwinnable three-month battle against cancer.
‘He has left a massive hole in our lives,’ says Pauline.
While Pauline would love to get another canine companion, she says she would be far more selective in the breed she chose. Indeed, she would probably opt for a crossbreed or a rescue dog.
Last week, she totted up the costs she and Alan incurred looking after Bruce – and insuring him in the case of serious illness. They were mind-blowing.
Pauline estimates that they spent more than £14,600 on Bruce during his lifetime. The bulk of this sum – £9,700 – was on insurance premiums.
The rest comprised vets’ bills not covered by the insurance because of the policy excess, the cost of regular injections, flea and worming treatments, and paying for grooming and nail clipping.
It excluded food costs and other paraphernalia such as baskets, harnesses and leads.
While she accepts insurance has proved invaluable, meeting about £12,000 of claims (most in the last three months of Bruce’s life), he proved an expensive companion.
‘We adored Bruce and we miss him every day,’ she says. ‘We would love to have another pug, but the combined cost of insurance premiums and veterinary bills makes that a non-starter.’
She says the rising cost of keeping a dog is resulting in some households handing them in. It is also preventing many, especially the elderly, from keeping them as companions.
The owners of veterinary practices – many of which are now run by profit-obsessed private equity firms – have a lot to answer for, charging customers (and insurers) a fortune for their services.
‘Unless you have deep pockets,’ warns Pauline, ‘think carefully before buying a pet – for Christmas or at any other time.’
Caveat emptor – let the buyer beware.