Ask any pet owner about their beloved furred or feathered friend, and there’s every chance you’ll get the rundown on their cuteness, lovable personality and a pic or two. There are almost 29 million pets in Australia today and with an estimated human population of 25 million, more pets than people!
Clearly, we adore our fuzzy sidekicks, and they are family to us. With this close emotional bond also comes a commitment to their health and wellbeing. So, we asked some Women’s Day readers to share how they care for the wellbeing of their pets by asking: What’s the smartest thing you do for your pet?
The responses were heart warming. From companionship to healthy habits, regular exercise and medical cover, these cherished family pets are truly living their best lives and loving their humans in return. Here are just a few happy tales.
A furever friendship
“Alfie is a 15-year-old Silky Terrier and Schultz is a six-year-old Doberman. They are the ultimate ‘odd couple’, but their friendship knows no bounds. Giving Alfie a companion in his elderly years has been the best thing for him. He is losing his sight and hearing, but Schultz has become his eyes and ears and even rescued Alfie when he fell in the pool and couldn’t get out.
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They go everywhere together and even share a bed. Alfie shows his appreciation by sharing his food and toys. They are the best companions to each other and to me, and I feel so lucky to have my beloved fur babies.” – Amy.
Benny lives his best life
“Ten years ago, I rescued Benny from a dump in Western Australia, and today he’s living very comfortably in Sydney’s Northern Beaches. Our family is always thinking about Benny’s health, so we bought him a special cat water fountain which he absolutely loves and encourages him to drink his daily H20. As you can see from the picture it’s pretty funky, but it’s the fresh, flowing water that keeps his kidneys healthy!
It’s a pretty good life after being an abandoned cat. Now that Benny’s well hydrated, he can keep people and other pets safe from all those creepy crawlies on the footpath as they go about their day.” – Kate.
Daisy goes to daycare
“Daisy our Spoodle is only five months old, but our best investment so far has been doggy daycare. She goes once a week and loves it. She is so excited when we arrive, and she gets a day of socialisation that she wouldn’t otherwise.
It’s perfect on days when my partner and I have a lot of meetings when we’re working from home, or when we’re in the office. They also offer a ‘taxi’ service to bring her home! That service has been a lifesaver recently as I’m commuting to work, and my partner has been unable to drive due to injury.” – Emma-Kate.
Two’s company
“The smartest thing I ever did was get sibling kittens! I think, apart from helping them assimilate into their new home and having the comfort and familiarity of one another, it helps them through the day – when my hubby and I are at work, and the kids are at school. They aren’t overly playful with each other, but definitely enjoy each other’s company.” – Evelyn.
Peace of mind for Reggie
“Reggie is our much-loved eight-year-old Jack Russell. He adores food (especially people food), enjoys chasing the ball and lives to protect his family and garden from the local brush turkey. He’s always gnawing on sticks and other things he finds in the backyard, and we’ve had a few hair-raising moments when he’s bitten off more than he can chew (or swallow).
The smartest thing we’ve done for Reggie is to take out pet insurance in case he has a medical emergency like a broken tooth or some kind of accident. We know from previous experience that vet bills can add up quickly. Of course, we hope we never have to put in a claim for Reggie, but it’s great peace of mind to know that if we do, we have that safety net to help get him back on his feet.” – Rachel.
Protect your best friend with Stella Pet Insurance
Our four-legged friends don’t go looking for trouble, but sometimes things can go wrong. When they do, the costs can add up quickly, so consider how you can protect your pet and give yourself peace of mind if you are faced with unexpected vet or emergency bills.
Stella Pet Insurance is designed for simplicity. It’s been built with the help of vets with an aim to provide clear cover that’s easy to understand, so you can help get your pet the treatment they need without the added stress of an unexpected financial burden.
They offer flexible options to tailor your cover and you can choose your annual limit, annual excess and benefit percentage. More than just emergency cover, Stella also offers an option on some pet insurance plans for dental illness, behavioural conditions, and physiotherapy.
Check out stellainsurance.com.au/pet-insurance/ for more details and get a quote in minutes.
Underwriting criteria, policy T&Cs, limitations and exclusions apply. Stella Pet Insurance is issued by Pacific International Insurance Pty Ltd (ABN 83 169 311 193) (Pacific) and distributed by Stella Underwriting Pty Ltd (ABN 72 633 811 319, AR 001282046) acting as an Authorised Representative of Knose Financial Services Pty Ltd (ABN 38 620 795 735, AFSL 536651) (Knose), which is acting under a binding authority as agent for Pacific. Any advice provided is general only and has been prepared without taking into account your objectives, financial situation or needs and may not be right for you. You should consider the appropriateness of any such advice, and read the Product Disclosure Statement (‘PDS’), the Target Market Determination (‘TMD’) and Financial Services Guide (‘FSG’) for this product available at stellainsurance.com.au before making a decision to acquire, or to continue to hold, the product.
