Taking out pet insurance is critical. Pet theft is a lucrative activity for criminals due to the minimal risk of detection. The Missing Pets Bureau found that 38% of those who report their animal missing have actually been the victim of theft. In 2004 a Crufts Champion bitch worth £50,000 was stolen.
The Scale of the Pet Theft Problem
Due to a lack of official statistics, quantifying the scale of cat and dog theft is difficult. DogLost claims that "About 80 per cent of the 1,300 cases they have completed involve suspicious circumstances."
Thieves have gained an excellent understanding of the value of animals. The more valuable the animal, the more at risk it is. In the BBC news story "Pet Theft Owner Has Heart Attack" it was stated that "Thieves got into the Scales and Tails pet shop, in Lasham, Hampshire, and stole 13 rare tortoises worth more than £3,500."
How Can Pet Insurance Help?
Taking out sufficient coverage assists with the recovery of a dognapped or catnapped animal. This is achieved via a payment with regard to the following associated costs:
- Advertising that the animal is lost. Depending upon the pet insurance chosen, between £200 and £1000 is provided to advertise the fact that the pet has gone missing;
- Reward. A reward is provided to the individual that returns the lost animal;
- Payment if the animal is never recovered. In the unfortunate event that a pet is never returned, the pet insurance policy will pay out a value of up to £1500. Payment is made anywhere between 30 to 90 days from the date the animal went missing. The policy chosen will determine the extent of any assistance provided.
Cheaper Pet Insurance
It isn't surprising to discover that, the higher the premium paid, the more coverage is generally received. Using an online price checker can help reduce costs. However, the cheapest doesn't always mean that it is the best. Check through the T&C's before signing up.
Preventing Dog Theft and Cat Theft
- Collar and identification tags. Should the animal be recovered by a member of the public, they will be able to contact the owner directly.
- Micro-chipped. It is a lot easier to identify where a dog is when it is micro-chipped. The Kennel Club Reunification Service offers this service.
- Always use a leash. Keeping the animals on a lead makes it vastly more difficult to steal.
- Keep outdoor pets locked securely and out of public view. The more visible an animal, the more likely someone will try to steal it. If pet theft is a problem, keep animals indoors.
- Don't tie pets outside a store whilst shopping. Tying a simple knot may keep the dog there, but it won't stop theft. Don't take an animal out if planning to go shopping.
- Never leave an animal unattended in a car. Leaving a pet in a car is likely to lead to the window being smashed and the animal being stolen.
- Spay and neuter pets. An animal that has been fixed is vastly less likely to stray from the family home.
Always keep a picture so that it is available should a 'missing' animal poster ever be needed. If a dog or cat is stolen, report the matter to the local police. Take out pet insurance to help with the cost of cat or dog theft and always take sufficient precautions to ensure the animal's safety.
Those interesting in preventing pet theft may also wish to read about Choosing the right life insurance product to protect their family and Advice for those considering mortgage insurance.
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