VPI joins Fort Dodge, AVMA as wellness campaign sponsor

Schaumburg, Ill.

-- Veterinary Pet Insurance signed on this year as a third sponsor of the 2009 National Pet Wellness campaign, joining the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) and Fort Dodge Animal Health, which founded the annual clinic-centered campaign in 2004.

This year╒s campaign, which has the theme "Pet Wellness Starts with a Plan," will take place in October in nearly 15,000 veterinary clinics nationwide.

Previous campaigns stressed the importance of twice-a-year wellness examinations and disease prevention, but this year the value of pet health insurance becomes part of the mission as well, based on study findings that clients with health insurance, on average, schedule more veterinary visits. Insurance for routine care, such as vaccinations, diagnostics, heartworm and flea and tick medications, is now available along with coverage for injuries, illnesses and accidents.

The "Pet Wellness Starts with a Plan" campaign aims to reach pet owners through educational materials used in clinics by veterinarians, technicians and other team members, and through nationwide public-relations efforts urging owners to contact their veterinarians to inquire about wellness plans.

Later this summer, participating clinics will receive a free In-Clinic Education Kit that includes:

* Checklists to promote discussion with clients about disease risks for each dog's or cat's disease risk, and the need for insurance

* A brochure describing the three-part wellness plan recommended for all pets

* A lobby poster informing clients about the three components and urging them to ask team members for details

* Campaign buttons for staff members to promote the campaign.

Veterinary team members who wish to participate, and whose clinic is not already registered, can sign up or get more information at www.NPWM.com.

Previous National Pet Wellness campaigns included pet aging, preventable disease threats, healthy cats, zoonotic disease threats, twice-a-year exams, risk assessment and other topics.