MediPet Pet Insurance

Medipet pet insurance is a company designed to make taking care of your cat or dog that much easier by providing you with the confidence to know that your pet is covered by affordable and reliable pet health insurance. When you are at home, on holiday or travelling, the assurance that your cat or dog’s health is covered and protected is an invaluable insurance to both you and your pet. Health insurance means that you are freed from the unnecessary worry of medical bills and doctors fees, and by having your pet’s health insured you are freeing yourself from the worry of their medical bills and vet fees.

Pet insurance will cover your puppy or kitten form the age of eight weeks and their cover lasts a lifetime. Pay outs on claims are prompt and reliable and will be made out within 10 days of Medipet receiving your claim.

Applying for your pet to be covered by pet insurance is easy and can be done right now while you are sitting in front of your computer. All you need to do is visit the Medipet website at www.medipetsa.co.za and fill in an online application form and give your pet the gift of a lifetime.

Puppies! The only gift that keeps on giving...

Puppies are energetic, fun and cute and can also be quite a handful. But the rewards from having a pet and getting to watch them grow are endless. When choosing your puppy there are certain things that you do however need to think about. Take into consideration the size of your home and property, the time you have to spend with a pet and the other animals if you already have pets. Pets can at times also prove to be costly, but with health insurance for pets the cost of your animals health is already much easier to maintain.

With Medipet your puppies can be covered by lifelong animal health cover from the early age of just eight weeks old. And because the medical cover is designed to for lifelong coverage you will be able to rest with complete assurance that no matter what happens to your dog or cat your insurance is right there for you to support you through it.

With Medipet’s Christmas special you can now get pet insurance for less than ever before – with the monthly rate of R95 for cats and R105 for dogs with your savings amounting to a valuable two months free cover.

Puppy Adoption

The season for giving gifts is one that is fun and rewarding to both gift giver and the receiver, but there certain things to take into consideration, especially when you are thinking of giving an animal as a gift. Puppy adoption is a big decision to make and has a lot of responsibility attached to it. If you are getting a new puppy or are giving one to somebody as a present this season remember and take into account the practical sides to owning a pet.

Children are often taken in to the idea of owning a pet and are often attracted to the cuteness of puppies and kittens. If you are planning on puppy adoption or giving a pet as a gift to a child be sure that the child is aware of the responsibilities involved and that they, or anyone who is adopting a new pet, are both able and prepared to take proper care of the animal.

As well as kitten or puppy adoption, another good idea for the gift season may be to give a gift of security and good health by taking out pet health insurance – which is both a practical and a responsible thing to offer any pet owner and pet.

Merry Christmas!

Dear Readers,

Merry Christmas! We here at SA Pet Lovers wish you the happiest of happy Christmasses, and trust that you are enjoying the festive season with your furry family as much as you are with your immediate relatives!

Enjoy a week of celebrations and festivities, and make sure that your pets are safe when you welcome in the new year next week. 2008 holds a range of exciting new things for both us and you as pet owners, and you can be sure that this blog will be jam-packed with great tips, advice and stories for you to enjoy.

With kindest regards,
The SA PET LOVERS Team

Animal health

They are furry, they are lovable and more often than not, they are irresistibly cute! And they are our pets – our doting cats and dogs. And more often than not, a healthy animal is a happy animal and when it comes to taking care of our cat or dog’s physical well being it is good to know that we do not have to do it alone. With vets and pet insurance we can afford our animals the benefit of secure health and affordable medical attention where and when they need it.

Good animal health care is something that is invaluable to your pet and a good pet insurance will make sure that your cat or dog is well covered with an insurance package that covers them for life. This allows you as a pet owner to relax about the costs of vet bills and your pet’s access to vet services. Medipet will cover your cat and dog with all the essential medical cover and even caters to you as the pet owner in making sure that your insurance will pay for your pet’s housing should you ever fall ill and are unable to take care of them for a period of time.

MediPet's pet blog

When you are looking for tried and tested information and supportive advice on your pets, where do you do turn to? Pet blogs can offer you useful information on topics ranging from pet insurance to general care for your pet, and allows you the space to share your pet stories with other pet owners and animal lovers. Offering a new world to accessing much needed information you can learn new things and even find out more information about topics that interest you.

Looking out for your best interests as a pet owner, and in the interest of your cat or dog, Medipet’s pet blog allows you to comment and share information and opinions on a variety of topics regarding your animals. With pet insurance and open dialogue, Medipet is helping make you as prepared as you need to be to take care of your cat or dog’s health.

Pet blogs can be a helpful resource to learn more about your pet and pet like things. Sharing stories and ideas with other pet owners means that you can learn new things, find good and helpful advice, and also means that you can share your experiences and help other pet owners all at the same time.

Christmas dog cushion

It is Christmas time again and while you are out doing your Christmas shopping and gift buying don’t forget about your beloved cat or dog. While buying toys and sweets for your kids take a look around for something special for your cat or dog who are waiting patiently for you back home. Whether you are looking for something useful like a dog cushion, pet insurance or just something enjoyable like an extra treat or two your pet will appreciate the extra thought. Buying an extra box of your pet’s favourite dog or cat biscuits or giving them a new and exciting toy can make them feel special and they will thrive on the extra attention.

Gifts for pets can be both practical and fun, and with a gift like pet health insurance you can be giving your animal something that will last their entire lifetime and will benefit you as much as it benefits them. Christmas and the holidays are about spending time at home with loved ones and your pets are naturally included in the festivities. So if they are needing a new collar, leash or dog cushion, or the reliability of pet insurance, there is something that you can find for your pet this Christmas.

Health Insurance

Health insurance is something that benefits us and health in many ways. By having health insurance cover we can know that we will be taken care of by qualified medical staff and professionals when and where we will ever have a need for it. The same goes for our very own cats and dogs.

Medipet is a pet health insurance company that offers your cat or dog reliable and effective health insurance. By insuring your pet’s health you and your animal will be able to benefit from countrywide insurance coverage with any qualified South African vet. This mean that you can put aside any worries about your pet’s potential medical needs knowing that should anything happen you are covered by Medipet who will cover the costs of your visit to the vet.

Vet bills and unexpected trips to the vet can cost up to thousands of rands but with health insurance you can know beforehand what you will need to pay, and what you will need to pay will only be a portion of what the actual bill amounts to. All you need to do is pay a monthly fee and a low excess and then let Medipet take care of the rest.

Indoor pets and litter trays

Taking care of your family and pets is a job of responsibilities and cautioned observation. This means that you know to look out for and cover the obvious need as well as the needs that can sometimes go unnoticed until it is often too late. With pets around, litter boxes can often fall into these categories. They are not necessarily the first thing on our minds when we think of our pets but can become instantly essential when we have had to clean a mess off of a carpet or floor.

If your pet is going to be spending much of his or her time indoors you will need to provide a litter box for the protection of your household furniture as well as for the convenience and hygiene of your pet. Taking care of your pet and your home is enough for you to deal with and that is why Medipet offers pet insurance to lift the load of taking care of your pet’s health needs.
If your pet is house trained or just naturally adapts to using the litter box your life is made a lot easier. So while you are taking care of your home and getting your pet house trained you can leave the cover of your animal’s health care to Medipet

Cat food comments

As the saying goes – you are what you eat. The same, I would think, applies to the animal kingdom and more specifically to our pets. Cat food is about more than just making sure that your cat is eating. What you are feeding your cat is going to determine their growth ability, their day to day living and their overall health. This means that you can control your animals diet and in doing so you can ensure them a good state of physical health.

Shops make it very easy for us to feed our pets the correct foods. From tinned to dry foods, the shelves at shops offer us a wide variety of foods to choose from. In making this decision there are factors about your pet to be taken into consideration. These include your cat or dog’s age, their size and the amount of food that they consume. Along with making sure that your cat food is well suited to your pet you can also make plans for ensuring their good health and maintenance through covering their health needs with pet insurance.

So while you take care of your cat’s food and diet, Medipet will happily make sure that you and your cat are covered with reliable insurance.

Animal Safety

Your animal’s safety is not something to be taken lightly. Your family pet is after all more like an extension of your family rather than just any animal. Medipet understands this and that is why they have put together pet health insurance packages to help you protect and look after your pet in every way possible.

With good cover and easy access to claims your animal’s safety and health is in reliable and trustworthy hands. Your cat or dog’s health and medical needs are often unpredictable and that is why Medipet sees the great importance in you being prepared for anything that might happen to your pet. From accidents to illness you and your pet can be covered for any of the medical and financial repercussions.

And instead of you fretting over your animal’s safety there is the much easier and completely hassle free option of protecting both you and your pet with pet health insurance cover. You will be put at ease knowing that your pet can be taken care of by any vet at any time without you having to break the bank. And your pet will benefit from the great cover and service of any vet countrywide.

A new JHB vet

Moving from one city to another means that a lot of things need to be changed, that includes your cat or dog’s vet. So whether you are looking for a new Johannesburg vet or any other vet in any other city countrywide you do have one thing that will not need to change – your pet insurance cover. With Medipet you not only receive full guarantee off good and reliable pet insurance cover but you are also given the guarantee of the use of any vet countrywide. So no matter if you are travelling or if you are moving to a new city within South Africa you and your pet will still be covered with pet health insurance.

So when you move from one place to another Medipet gives you the assurance that your animal’s health insurance will be unchanged. This means that you can still take your cat or dog to a Johannesburg vet, a Cape Town, or Buffelsfontien vet and you will still be able to make use of the medical insurance you and your animal have come to rely on. Medipet will be there for you and will cover your vet bills no matter where in South Africa you may happen to find yourself.

The importance of dog training

Having pet insurance means that you can protect your dog from succumbing to certain ailments ensuring them a happy and long life. But along with pet insurance having a trained and obedient dog can make your life with your pet much more enjoyable. Through training your dog will learn to listen to you, and learning a couple of tricks means that you can both bond together and then be able to show off your tricks to others. You can teach your dog by yourself at home or, it could be helpful to even take your dog to specially formulated dog training classes.

The added benefit of having an obedient dog also means that you can protect your dog from certain dangers. Essential things that your dog will need to be taught is to listen to you so that you can keep command and keep your pet out of harms way. This means that in dog training your dog can be taught to obey certain commands when you are out of the home environment, in this way you can teach your dog to stay near to you, to not run across roads and thus prevent them from being hit or injured by moving vehicles.

Dog health: your best friend

As the saying goes, a dog is a man’s best friend. And no one knows this better than you and your beloved pooch. Your bond and friendship with your dog is one that will last for years and as a responsible pet owner you now that your dog’s health is of vital importance to you and your dog. If your dog is happy and healthy then so are you because you then know that you are doing all that you can for the well being of your animal.

Your dog’s health however is not something that you have to take care of on your own. With constant advances in animal health care and with the support of pet insurance and trustworthy veterinary services you can have the confidence that your pet will be well looked after when their health needs professional attention.

Pet insurance gives you the financial support and cover in knowing that your dog’s health will always be prioritised and taken care of. And most importantly to your finances, having pet insurance means that you can focus on your dog and their well being without having to be concerned about vet bills, which will be taken care of by your pet insurance company.

Fleas!

Fleas are not only annoying but can also lead to detrimental effects on your cat or dog’s health. And once fleas are hooked into your pet’s fur they, and their itchy after effects, can be somewhat of a nightmare to get rid of. So, understandably, to take the best care of your cat or and dog and their health you may have tried to get rid of the fleas by doing anything from bathing, to spraying and even medicating your animal against the pesky parasite. But in taking care of your pet’s health, you are not alone. Pet health insurance gives you, as a pet owner, the ability to be free from concern over your animal’s veterinary needs and expenses.

This means that without the worry about the bigger implications of taking care of your cat or dog’s health you can have the time to handle the smaller things that your pet needs you to look out for. You may have to sort out the parasite problem when it comes to fleas but any other health, illness or accidents or injuries with your cat or dog can be reliably covered and cared for through your animal’s pet insurance with Medipet.

Missing Kitty: help find Ziggy!

Hi everyone -

You'll all be pleased to hear that Binksy is back home and is settling in nicely with his new feline friends. The strangest thing is, though, that Binksy's friend Ziggy has also gone missing! Ziggy went missing from the Casseldale Springs area about a week ago. She is a spayed female grey tabby. Here is her picture:

Please do your best to keep your eyes and your ears open so that we can all work together to reunite Ziggy with her anxious owner. If you see Ziggy anywhere please let us know! You can email us at medipetblog@gmail.com with more information.

We're all going on a summer holiday...

Taking your pet on holiday with you can sometimes be a fun experience for the whole family but there are certain things that you need to consider before you leave home with your pet. If your cat or dog is still quite young you need to know that you can be watchful of them wherever it is that are going to. Your animal also needs to feel secure enough in new surroundings and with the people that are going to be around with you. With older pets you can know just what your animal’s behavioural habits are and you can know how to talk to them and what they will commands they will obey. Having a properly trained pet can be very helpful if you plan on travelling with them.

With Medipet pet health insurance you can have the peace of mind that should anything happen to your pet anywhere within South Africa you are still covered with pet insurance. Medipet also offers you insurance covered access to any vet anywhere in the country. If however you are planning on spending your holiday with your pet at home you still have the assurance of accident and illness cover with any vet in your vicinity.

Pet Assistance with MediPet

Pet assistance is just an application away. Medipet is a pet health insurance company geared to making your life easier and your pet’s health needs far more manageable. This means that Medipet offers you, the pet owner, affordable and reliable health insurance coverage that will take care of your pet in their times of need. When your cat or dog is ill or injured they need you and your love and support. You should be able to be there for them and not be worried about the vet bills and medical costs. And with Medipet’s all round cover you can be released from the pressure of unexpected and potentially costly visits to the vet.

Medipet offers your cat or dog cover for accidental injury, illness as well as cover for certain operations, such as hip replacements and tumour removals. The pet insurance packages are offered for both cats and dogs and you can cover your pet from the early age of 8 weeks. The value of pet assistance is something that lasts for the lifetime of your pet and gives you the freedom to enjoy the time spent with your cat or dog without the worry of their medical and health costs.

MediPet Christmas Special

Christmas is coming, and it’s time to show your loved ones how much they really mean to you! If you sign up any of your pets for comprehensive Medipet SA pet insurance before the 31st of December then you will receive an additional R20 off of your pet’s premiums for a full year – that is the equivalent of two months of free premium! Christmas doesn’t get any better than this.

Please feel free to look up more information on the MediPet SA Website, or contact their office directly at (021) 701 2023. Give your pets the gift that keeps on giving with comprehensive coverage from MediPet SA.

Kittens!

Kittens are cute, cuddly and they make wonderful pets as they become new additions to our families! And taking care of a new family member’s health and nutritional requirements is not something that should be taken for granted. And with Medipet you can insure your young cat’s health form the early age of just eight weeks.

This means that we, as pet owners, need to be vigilant to our new kitten’s needs. We need to make sure that they are taken care of with regular annual check ups from a reliable vet and that they are generally in good health. You can start taking care of health from home ensuring that your young cat is properly fed – not under or over fed, and that the food that they are consuming is properly suited to a growing cat’s nutritional requirements.

Kittens, like any young creatures need lots of love and attention, and even need some extra special care that older adult pets may no longer need. This means that you should talk to your vet and find out just what injections your new cat needs to ward off diseases and to make sure that the young cat is physically strong and healthy.

Animal Insurance from MediPet

Animals are often far more than just what the word implies. When an animal is brought into our homes they become loved and more often than not they come to play a vital role in the family. They even become a part of the family. So when one of our pets becomes ill or is accidentally injured we can feel the same sort of care and emotional distress as if it were a member of our family that were in need of medical attention. That is why health insurance for our pets can be as useful and as necessary as our own health insurance.

Knowing that no matter what happens to your beloved animals, whether they be cats or dogs, they are guaranteed with health care cover is something that will not only cover them with good health and medical attention but will also protect you form vet bills which could at times run into thousands of rands. Through Medipet the cost of your pets health cover is not only affordable and manageable but helps you can plan ahead for your pet’s health requirements before they need them and by doing so you can save yourself time, money and unnecessary worry.

Binksy Returns!

Hi Everyone,

You'll remember a few weeks ago that Julie's beloved Binksy returned - but now he's back! A little shaken and a little thin, he comes home to new kitten friends and a loving family. We're all thrilled for you Julie, and thanks for letting us know!

The Vet: your extended family doctor

Your animal’s doctor knows just how to take good care of your animal’s health. They can identify any potential health hazards, spot any irregularities in your cat or dog and can even give you good practical advice on taking care of your cat or dog. And when your pet is ill or injured there is no one better to take care of their health than a qualified and understanding vet. But the one draw back of this reliability is the potential costs of medical treatment.

There are certain veterinary visits that you can be financially prepared for – such as your cat or dog’s annual shots and other routine check ups, but for those unexpected visits to the vet it is good to know that you and your pet can be covered by Medipet health insurance. Having a partner in taking care of your pet’s health can make the job a lot easier.

Medipet offers you nationwide coverage and the use of any vet countrywide. Cover is up to R25 00 per year and with no specified limits you can be assured that no matter what your emergency or need is to see your pet’s doctor, your pet is covered by general and reliable medical insurance.

The benefits of pet grooming

A shiny coat on our cats or dogs not only looks good and is very pleasing to the eye of a pet owner but is also generally a sign that the pet is physically well and in good health. Knowing that your pet’s exterior is well taken care of and looked after through regular grooming means that you will very quickly notice when something is wrong with your cat or dog.

In this, the grooming of your cat or dog can be a way of making sure that your pet has a good bill of health. Not only will their coats and general good feeling be improved through regular grooming but you will also be able to keep yourself aware of any physical changes in your pet. If your pet is kept clean, and in the case of long haired cats or dogs is kept brushed, you will easily be able to pick up on the dulling of their fur or any other unusual changes in your pet’s appearance that may stem from a medical or health reason. Keeping in touch with your vet and having your pet’s health protected with insurance cover means that while you are taking care of your pet’s grooming needs you are also guarded against any unexpected accidents and visits to the vet.

Dog Food

Your dog’s food is what will give him or her the nutrients that they need to meet their health requirements so that they can be in top physically condition. Making sure that the food that your pet is eating is suited to their needs means that your pet can be healthy while also ensuring that they maintain their good state of health.

Ensuring your dog’s physical health by feeding them the correct dog foods will at the same time ensure that your dog is mentally alert, energetic and living life as enjoyably as possible. Good physical health also means that you dog’s body can ward off illness, disease and should anything happen to your dog, a healthy body means that he or she can heal faster and more effectively.

Medipet’s health insurance coverage for your pet also includes a cover that takes care of your pet’s diet needs. Should your dog food need to be changed and your vet places your dog on a specific prescription food you can claim for it from your pet insurance! Medipet covers up to R100 per month for prescription foods needed to treat illnesses and the cover pays out for up to six months.

Medipet insurance: points of interest

Pet insurance has its benefits to both you and your pet. But it is good to know just what exactly your animal will be covered for. Here are just three of the many benefits that you can expect from your Medipet insurance package:

• For both cats and dogs, Medipet insurance will pay out R250 for advertising and reward for your pet should they go missing. This means that instead of focusing on any costs to find your animal you can put your time and energy into finding your lost cat or dog.
  
• Your Medipet insurance package will also take care of your animals housing needs at either a kennel or cattery while you are ill and unable to take care of your animal. This cover also includes a pet sitter option and will cover up R50 per day that you are unable to be with your cat or dog. Per year this cover reaches up to R100 for dogs and R750 for cats.
  
• Medipet insurance will take care of your veterinary costs for up to R25 000 per annum. This means that your costs are covered by your monthly fee payment for either your cat or dog and your visits to the vet are covered by you only to the extent of your small excess fee with each claim.

Pet insurance for peace of mind

Pet insurance is an insurance offer with more benefits than you might at first think. The obvious aspects about insuring your pet’s health means that, like your own health insurance, you do not have to worry about the lump sum costs of medical bills – your insurance covers your costs for you. All you do is pay your monthly insurance fee and when your cat or dog needs to see a vet for medical attention you pay a small excess fee. This allows you the freedom of not needing to hunt for the funds to pay off a vet.

With Medipet pet insurance you are offered coverage for your cat and / or dog from when they are only 8 weeks old. The cover offered by Medipet is life long and ensures that your animal will have well covered and reliable health insurance for as long as they might need it. Application for your pet’s health insurance is as easy as visiting the Medipet website at www.medipetsa.co.za and filling in an application form through an easy to follow process.

Knowing that your cat or dog is covered by pet insurance can put you at ease with your pet’s health and well being!

Cat Health: comprehensive coverage

A healthy cat means a happy cat and when your pet is happy you can relax knowing that your responsibilities as a pet owner are taken care of. Your cat’s health is important to you and that is why Medipet makes taking care of your pet’s health as simple and as cost effective as they can.

All you need to do is contact Medipet and apply for cover that costs you as little as R115 per month. That means that for only R115 per month your cat’s health is covered for illnesses and accidents for up to R25 000 per year. Your excess, should your animal need to see a vet, is only R250. Knowing that your costs of visiting a vet will only be R250, means that you do not have to plan when and how you can afford to take your cat to a vet but it gives you the freedom to take your cat to the vet when they most need it.

Your cat’s health is of great importance, and that is why Medipet offers you reliable and affordable pet insurance that ensures that your cat is looked after medically and that you are covered financially should your cat need any veterinary attention at any time!

Puppy Training

Puppy training is essential for you and your puppy if you want your puppy to grow up with set boundaries and rules. Puppies have a lot of energy and zest and they also have a lot of exploring to do in their new environments. Training your puppy means that your dog will be easier handle and easier to protect.

You would need your puppy training to include your puppy getting to know you and your voice so that you can use specific commands and know that your pet will respond in the suitable way. This means that you can call your dog, teach your dog how to behave and train your dog in ways to keep them most safe. This can include training them to keep away from moving cars and other potentially harmful situations. Another way of protecting your puppy or if your puppy was to be in an accident or does come to any harm you can fortunately also have the reliability of Medipet pet health insurance. Medipet offers insurance packages that will cover your puppy’s health from the age of just 8 weeks and so while you are training your puppy Medipet can assure coverage for any unpredictable visits to a vet.

Pet shops: almost everything you need

Pet shops can be very exciting and intriguing places. From searching for a pet, to finding the right pet products and toys to keep your cat or dog entertained pet stores can offer all you need for your pets.

So once you have been to pet shop and you have your cat litter or your new dog toys and other pet like things the one aspect of your pet’s happiness that may still need cover is your animal’s health. This is where the value of pet insurance comes in.

You can take good care of your cat and dog, you can make sure that they are cared for, loved and have all the things that a pet store can offer them but one thing you cannot always prepare for is illness or injury. Medipet knows this and also knows that your pet is pride and joy. That is why Medipet offers you the ability to make sure that while your animal’s day to day needs can be taken care of by your local pet shop you can also be sure to have your animal’s health needs covered by a company who cares about your financial security as well as your pet’s medical needs.

Your Durban Vet

Medipet offers you and your pet insurance nationwide coverage, this means that wherever you find yourself within South Africa you can know that whether you are seeing a Durban vet or any other vet around the country you are assured affordable health care. Medipet will cover your costs of vet visits from accidents to illnesses that you pet may need medical attention for. You excess will never exceed R250 and you annual cover reaches to R25 000. This gives you the ability to know that no matter where in South Africa you and your pet are you can both be covered by the promise of reliable and effective pet health insurance.

Pet insurance lets you give your pet the best health care as and when they need it without you having to consider you budget and the financial implications of vet bills. And having access to this kind of security no matter where in the country you are situated is invaluable. With Medipet living anywhere in South Africa still means that you can have your beloved pet covered by reliable pet insurance. Whether you are in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Buffelsdoorn or Durban, vet assistance is affordable to you through Medipet pet insurance.

Getting a good vet: something to think about

Veterinary services are a vital component to ensuring your pet is in good health and well taken care of when ill. Vets however can be expensive but there is no need for you to be concerned over vet bills and your pet’s health costs. Medipet pet insurance can assist you in providing for your animal’s health with easy and convenient medical insurance for your pet.

If your pet were to be involved in accident or were to fall ill, you have the concern of both your animal’s welfare as well as your financial responsibilities. Medipet’s pet insurance packages are designed to take the load off of your mind. With pet insurance you know that your animal will be taken of by professional vets who not only care about your pet but are also qualified to care of your pet’s health needs.

With the concern of your pet’s well being off your mind, all you then need to think about is your monthly rate with Medipet: R115 for cats and R125 for dogs. Your only other cost will be your excess of R250 which you pay should your pet need to see a vet. Insuring your pet’s health gives you safety as well as peace of mind.

Pet Health

Knowing that your pet’s health is vital your pet’s well being and happiness is key. Medipet understands this and is dedicated to helping to make sure that your pet is covered with reliable and effective health insurance so that your animal’s health and vet costs are never of great concern to you.

Having pet health insurance for your pet means that your mind can be lifted from the concerns of your financial requirements and you are able to focus on the more important things in life. Insurance with Medipet covers your animal for life and this gives you the freedom to know that if anything were to happen to your pet you have the financial security of your animal’s insurance.

Vet bills can amount to thousands but you do not want to be left with debt and piled up bills and you certainly do not want to feel pressured or compromise on your pet’s health. The good news is that you do not have to live with this concern. With coverage of R25 000 per year, with Medipet pet insurance you gain financial security while being assured that your pet will receive good attention from vets when and how they really need it.

Pet Adoption

Pet adoption is a big decision but when you do find the one to adopt in that cute little cat or dog, your life will be better for it! And a way to be certain that their life in return will better is by giving your pet the certainty of good health with Medipet’s pet insurance.

Most pet adoptions happen when the cats or dogs are still kittens and puppies. This means that your pet will be around six to eight weeks of age when you get to take him or her home. And because you would wan to ensure your pet’s health right from the start Medipet offers you and your pet insurance coverage from as early on as your pet being eight weeks old. This insurance is insurance for lifelong cover, so you can know that your pet’s entire life will be well provided for through their health insurance.

You can take out insurance on your pet up to the age of nine years old. So, if you your animal adoption is not that of a kitten or a puppy but of an older cat or dog you can also insure their health with Medipet for lifelong cover.

Health Insurance - for pets!

Medipet knows that your pet’s health is important to you that is why they have designed health insurance packages that not only take care of your pet but are also affordable to you! Because health care can be very expensive having a reliable pet insurance to take of your costs for you is invaluable. All you pay is R115 per month for your cat and for your dog it costs R125 to know that your animal will be taken care of and vet bills will be paid for.

There are many ways of looking after your pet’s health so that they do not have to make frequent visits to the vet. Keeping your cat or dag clean, well fed and loved can go a long way in preventing any illnesses or other reasons to visit a vet. But life is not predictable and as cautious and as smart as we can be with our pets there are times when unexpected sickness or an accident can lead to us rushing our loved animals over to a vet. With Medipet health insurance when your pet needs medical attention you have the benefit of knowing that you can take your animal to any vet countrywide and know that you and your pet’s health are well cared for.

Cat Food

Being sure that you are eating the correct foods is the first and a very important way of ensuring that your health is taken care of. Animal’s are no different, just as we need to take note of our diets and need to be sure that we are getting the right foods into our systems so we need to make sure that our pet’s are healthy and that, through their diet, their health is maintained.

Cat food and dog food is especially designed to provide your pet with their essential nutritional needs. There are however times when the food that we feed our pets is not quite enough to cover what their body needs from their food. Medipet understands this and therefore has made provision within their pet insurance coverage for additional food requirements for your pet.

Should your cat or dog be treated by a vet for a specific ailment the vet may recommend that you change your dog or cat food for a period of time. The vet may even prescribe a diet specific food. On this recommendation by your vet Medipet will pay out R100 per month for up to six months to cover the costs of the prescription diet.

Kennels and pet safety

Medipet pet insurance not only gives you the assurance that your pet’s health needs will be taken of but Medipet also offers many more benefits to your pet insurance. One such benefit is that of ensuring that your pet insurance covers the costs of your pet’s stay in a cattery or kennel should you fall ill and are unexpectedly unable to care for your animals for a period of time.

This benefit means that you do not have the worry of what to do with your pets when you are unable to be with them. Medipet covers R50 per day for either kennels, catteries or pet sitters.
Medipet will cover the cost of boarding fees for up the maximum amount of R1000 per annum.

The cost of your pet’s boarding will only be paid to a licensed kennel or cattery and in the case of your animals being taken care of by a pet sitter the pet sitter themselves must not be living with you. With your animals in the care of responsible animal carers you can know that your pets will be safe and well looked after until you are back to health and are able to take of them again yourself.

Reliable and affordable: MediPet Insurance

Medipet is a pet insurance company that provides you with pet insurance from as little as R115 per month for cats and R125 per month for dogs. This low monthly payment makes sure that your pet and your financial needs are well looked after should your pet need any medical attention. With medical pet insurance your pet can be covered from the time that they are 8 weeks old and cover can be taken out for them until the age of nine years. Cover for your animal is life long, so you can rest assured knowing that you can take of your animal’s health for as long as they need you.

Medipet also knows how much your animal means to you, so should your pet ever go missing your pet insurance even gives you annual coverage for advertising and a reward to find your beloved pet.

Medipet offers comprehensive packages that will make sure that your animal’s health will be cared for should they fall into illness or sustain injuries in an accident. The excess that you pay when your animal does receive medical help is a low fee of R250 and your animal is covered by your pet insurance with an annual cover of R25 000. This means that your pet can receive necessary medical treatment without you having to break the bank.

Medipet Pet Assistance

Good pet assistance can mean the difference between losing your pet and saving their life. When your animal needs medical attention you do not want to have to compromise on their health because of financial constraints. With Medipet pet insurance you can be sure that when the time comes and your pet needs medical care you can know that you are covered by a reliable medical insurance. Medical insurance for your pet means that you do not have the concern of huge payments to your vet. With easy to pay monthly instalments your cat or dog can be given the best of care when they need it.

With Medipet offering pet assistance in the form of medical insurance your pet can be covered from the time your animal is just 8 weeks old. This ensures that for the greater part of your animals life you have the peace of mind that your pet will receive medical attention how and when they need it. With an excess that is as little as R250 your animal’s health can be reliably covered for anything from illnesses to accidents without the worry of exorbitant bills. With a low excess and Medipet’s adequate cover you can know that your pet’s health is in good hands.

Puppy Adoption

Puppy adoption is a fun decision to make. You get to scout around at all the newly born pups, play around and find the one that seems to fit with you. But with the joy of owning an adorable dog comes the responsibility of taking care of them.

As you will very soon be able to tell your puppy has a personality of its own. As you and your new puppy get to know one another you will be able to tell when your puppy is feeling great and you will soon be able to notice when your puppy is not acting them usual selves. Puppy adoption means that you gain a friend, unconditional love and the chance to care for your pet with the same unconditional love. Pet insurance can help you to be sure that your puppy’s health is well looked after. By covering your pet’s health with Medipet pet insurance you ensure that your pet is guaranteed to have good health care while Medipet makes sure that it is health care that is affordable to you. Medipet will cover your newly adopted puppy from the early age of 8 weeks so from the point of adoption you can know that your puppy’s health is well provided for.

Pet health insurance

Health insurance for your pet is as essential as your own health insurance. Your pet, whether he or she is a cat or a dog, is more than just an animal they are part of the family. Your animal’s health is also something that needs attention and care.

When our pets are sick or injured they need love and care just like any person would and the best way to ensure that you can provide for your animal is to be covered by reliable pet health insurance. Medipet promises to make pay outs within 10 working days of your claim. Because of the prompt, efficient and reliable service vets often prefer their clients to have pet insurance – knowing that fees are taken care of means that everyone involved in your pet’s well being can focus on the importance of your animal’s health.

Medipet offers health insurance packages suited to your pet and their medical needs. Cats and dogs can both be covered with medical insurance with Medipet. The packages that Medipet has on offer for cats and dogs cover the essential needs that most animals have when needing to see a vet. With Medipet your animal is covered for illnesses, hip replacements, tumour removals and the use of any vet countrywide.

Peace of mind with MediPet

Animals need our attention and for us to be mindful of their health requirements. Having a medical plan to take care of your pet’s health needs means that animal help is now as easy as holding a pet insurance package with Medipet. With animal health insurance you can be sure that your pet will always be able to see a vet no matter what time of the month it is and how strained your purse strings are. Knowing that you pay a monthly instalment and an excess should you pet need to see a vet eases the financial pressure of taking good care of your animal.

Should you find yourself in a position where you need animal help you do not need to worry about costs and vet bills. Medipet pet insurance ensures that your insurance coverage will take care of your costs. Be sure to know what your insurance package covers and how much your excess is – but when you do need to visit your pet’s vet these are the only two things that you need to be thinking about when it comes to your finances. The freedom of pet insurance with Medipet means that you are able to focus on what is most important and by paying a monthly fee you can avoid a large lump sum payment.

LOST CAT: please help!

Hi everyone,

Julie's male grey Tabby has gone missing since Sunday in the Dinwiddie Germiston area. He has been neutered and has never done this before, he is two years old. His name is Binksy. She has already contacted all of the vets and adoption agencies in the area, but with no luck. Please - if you see a lonely grey cat walking around and you think it may Binksy: EMAIL us! We'll forward the information onto Julie.

Thank you for your continued support.

MediPet Insurance

Medipet insurance offers packages tailor made to suit either your dog or cat. From as little as R115 a month your cat can be insured for medical needs from snake bites to hip replacements. And from only R125 a month your dog’s medical needs can be covered with the assurance that you can afford to take your pet to a vet whenever it may be needed.

Medipet insurance covers your animal for accidental injuries to any illnesses to operations and will even cover the costs of any vet in South Africa. So if you live in Cape Town you can take your animal to a vet in Cape Town, but if you decide to travel to Johannesberg or any other town or city in South Africa you are still covered by Medipet through their countrywide cover.

With Medipet insurance your cover annual cover for your pet is R25 000 while you excess is only R250. This ensures that no matter what your animal’s medical requirements may be, you can know that your pet will be well taken of without the hassle of unexpected and costly veterinary bills.

Looking good! Some thoughts on pet grooming...

Is your pet’s coat looking a little tattered and dull? Or does your long furred dog seem to panting a more than usual now that it is summer? A visit to a pet grooming parlor could get your pet back into tip-top condition. With pet insurance taking care of your animal’s health needs you have a lot more freedom to take care of you animal’s comfort needs. Pet insurance with Medipet covers your pet from snake bites to hip replacements, so while you can rest assured that your animal’s health will be covered no matter what, you also now have the time to take care of your pet’s grooming needs.

Grooming parlors offer a range of services from brushing and bathing to nail clipping and fur trimming. In the heat of summer long haired dogs may suffer a little under the warmth of a thick fur coat, a little visit to a parlor and a hair cut can save your pet from discomfort in the summer heat.

If you find bathing your pet to be an arduous task grooming parlors are just the answer, and making sure that your animal is in peak groomed condition can also help in keeping your animal in good health.

Dealing with animal accidents

Should your pet be involved in an animal accident it would make your life a lot less complicated knowing that you and your pet are covered by a reliable pet insurance. Having pet insurance with a company such as Medipet means that you are covered financially and that means that your pet is guaranteed to be covered with any visits they may have to make to the vet.

Animal accidents can be as devastating as they are unpredictable. But the horror of your pet being involved in an accident can be alleviated by knowing that your pet’s medical needs are financially secure. Medipet will take of your veterinary bills, and will even cover additional pet needs and expenses such as kennels and catteries and will even cover the costs for advertising as well as for a reward should your beloved animal go missing.

Animal accident’s can be traumatic for you as the owner as well as for your pet but having pet insurance can take a load off of your mind. When you need your attention to be on your pet and not on your money Medipet will make sure that you can focus on your animal’s health and well being.

The importance of pet insurance

Pet insurance is as important to your pet as medical insurance is to you. Making sure that your animal’s medical needs and veterinary bills are taken care of is of vital importance. When your pet needs to be rushed over to an animal hospital or vet, the last thing you want to be thinking about is what it is going to cost you. With Medipet you do not have to even consider the financial implications. Knowing that you are covered by reliable and affordable insurance can give you peace of mind. In their moments of need your pet needs your attention to be on them.

Pet insurance can be used to cover your beloved pet’s annual visits to the vet and can come in especially welcomed when your animal has to make an unpredicted visit to the vet. Because your insurance will take care of all things financial you are able to focus on your pet and their immediate needs.

Your animal’s pet insurance can ease the pressure and trauma if your pet should be harmed in anyway and is in need of medical attention. The security offered by Medipet ensures that your animal can receive the essential as well the best treatment right away without you having to worry about the costs.

New Poll

Hello everyone,

There is a new poll on the cards today - Do you already have pet insurance? This is simply to determine the statistics regarding pet lovers and their pet insurance in South Africa. Please do submit your vote so that we can have an accurate representation! For more information regarding the care and security of your furry family member, please check out MediPet's website at www.medipetsa.co.za now! Pet insurance has become a necessity in today's modern lifestyle, and you can't afford to let your pet down in his or her time of need.

Poll Results: pet sterilisation

Should pet sterilization be government funded?
Yes – 33%
No – 44%
It’s complicated- 22%

This has been a hot topic of debate in the pet world of late – should the government be helping to pay for pet sterilization? Well, the question is, is it the government’s problem? You will remember a few weeks back that we chatted about the new barking dog bylaw (if you did not read that particular entry then you can look for the keywords “barking dog bylaw” down the left hand side of the menu) and the resultant observation was that there are just too many animals living in one place causing a lot of rowdy noise. The solution, apparently, is to clamp down on the law that states that an ordinary residential property may only have two dogs residing thereon. The real problem seems to be that there is a breeding frenzy that is sweeping across the nation, and there are a lot of little puppies and kittens being left out alone, or put down, because the pet owner either has no space for these new additions, or does not have the money to support them. Cat or dog sterilization can cost you anything up to R600 at a private veterinarian. The SPCA has a program whereby the amount you pay is calculated on the amount of money that you earn – if you can afford it, then you can pay for it, if not, then you pay a reduced rate. The total amount is still slightly more affordable than private pet sterilization.

If you do not have your dog or cat sterilized then there are a lot of consequences you have to face: pregnancy, marking of territory, possible cancer (in extreme cases) and more. On the other hand, your pet will never be able to breed once his or her reproductive organs are removed. The procedure itself, I am told, is relatively painless and offers more benefits overall. The poll results clearly indicate South Africa’s divided stance on the matter – with only 22% voting for the option ‘it’s complicated’ you can be sure that there are a lot of people out there who have firm opinions. The only reason why some people may want pet sterilization to be government funded is due to the costly nature of the treatment, but there are facilities in place, such as the SPCA and their treatment scheme, which aid in this respect. Please email us your comments and opinions, or post them directly on this site through the comment option at the end of the post.

Pet health: a follow up

You now your animal better than anybody. You know what they enjoy, you know what irritates them and you know best how to take care of them. Because your pet is important to you so is your pet’s health. We know that when we wake up in the morning feeling kind of bogged down with a cold or a bug it is our beloved, cute and unconditionally loving pets that are there for us. They just seem to now when you need a little extra attention – In the same way that they too need extra care when they are not at their peak health wise.

As pet owners we do the best to ensure constant good health in our animals and as the old adage goes – prevention is better than cure. So we can do what we can by keeping up with annual shots and check ups from the vet. We can also be sure to feed our pets the right foods – in the right amounts, without over or under feeding. Regularly checking your pets for fleas, ticks and worms can also help in making sure that your animal is kept in a good and healthy condition.

Pet health is vital for your pet’s well being and over all happiness, so making sure that your pet is bright eyed and bushy tailed takes care, love and practical attention.

Information from vets is the best advice to follow in caring for your pet’s health and a helpful website, which is informed by vets, is www.thepetcenter.com. The site offers a wide range of advice all based on the importance of your pet’s good health. If you need specific advice, please feel free to contact us and our qualified vet nurse will get back to you asap!

Animal Health

Having faith in your pet’s vet is very important. Most of us do not know all that much about animal health but we can tell when something is wrong with our beloved pets. Whether your pet has stopped eating, is not eating enough, or if your animal has become listless or is just not acting as them usual selves you are the first to pick up that something is a miss.

When you realise that something is seems to be wrong with your animal’s health the best thing to do is to consider the changes. Take good note of what seems to be different about your pet. See if there are any apparent external causes that could possibly be affecting your pet’s well being. Have you pet checked for worms, make sure that their food is suitable, etc. If you find something that may be affecting your animal the best thing to do would be to ensure your pet’s safety and make a few changes, but it might still be a good idea to check up with a vet.

If however there are no noticeable reasons for your animal’s health changes then the best thing to do is to go straight to the vet. As with humans animals can pick up common viruses and often their immune systems are strong enough to work out the bugs themselves.

The importance of getting your dog into good behavioural habits

Dog training can be loads of fun! The time spent with your dog during training can lead invaluable times of bonding. You and your dog will both benefit from the time spent with each other.

Dog training can start when your dog is still very young. If your dog is trained and get used to certain good habits as a puppy it is generally easier to maintain those good training habits throughout your pet’s life. From house training to obedience you can set up a special relationship and bond with your dog. Many dog’s will also usually only respond to their owner’s once trained, so you can setup specific commands and between you and you dog.

You can teach your dog many things with just the two of you in the comfort of your own home. It is also a good idea to take your dog to a dog training school where knowledgeable instructors can guide both you and your dog in the best ways of training your dog.

Whether you want you pet to obey simple commands such sit, lie down and wait or if you are looking for some more advanced training and some good show off type tricks taking your dog to dog training is a good idea.

The website http://www.dogworld.co.za/ offers a comprehensive list of dog training schools in all of the different SA regions if you are thinking about taking your pup to training school. Check out the direct link at http://www.dogworld.co.za/departments/clubs/obedience.html.

GO BOKKE!

We're all standing behind you this weekend!

Pet food

Do you give much thought as to what your animal eats? Cats and dogs require certain nutritional elements to their diet that they may not get from leftovers and table scraps. Feeding your pet real ‘pet food’ is essential to ensuring that your pet is receiving a well balanced diet.

Commercially produced pet food has been around since the 1860s. Starting out with dog biscuits, the cat and dog food industry has expanded to include many forms food to keep your pet healthy and well fed. Today we have a large choice of a variety of soft, dry and semi-moist foods to cater to our pet’s nutritional needs. From canned foods to pellets and even pet treats there’s no reason not to feed your pet the best.

Also available are specialised ranges of pet foods. Most brands of dog and cat foods produce ranges designed for age groups from kitten or puppy to adult and senior foods. These foods ensure that as your pet grows and their nutritional needs change, they still receive the best that can from their diet.

In addition to all this there are even more health specific orientated foods that are available from, and through the advice of most vets. These foods are for pets with specific health requirements. Specially formulated to adhere to your cat or dogs health needs, pet food brands such as Hill’s and other vet approved brands can ensure a better diet for whatever your pet’s specific nutritional may be.

Summer Time, and pets are getting dirty...

Dogs and cats do not always take very kindly to water, but sometimes bathing your pet is essential. Whether your cat or dog’s fur is just feeling grubby to the touch or if they have a skin irritation or fleas – a bath can do wonders.

Bathing your pet may seem a bit unnecessary to some people – after all, animals do keep themselves clean. There are however reasons and certain instances when bathing your pet is necessary. If you are trying to introduce a new pet to the home bathing all of the animals can help a little. If the animals are all bathed in the shame shampoo and area all smelling the same the tension can be slightly diffused. If each animal’s smell seems similar to one another they are less likely to get quite so agitated with there new family members. When bathing your pet you do however need to bear in mind that your animal needs their own shampoo – most shops, as well as vets, do hold cat and dog shampoos. If your animal has fleas or ticks special anti – tick and flea shampoos are quite effective of ridding your pet of these pests.

If your pet is rather small bathing them in your basin can work quite well otherwise getting hold of a dog bath and bathing your animal outside is a good option.

Pet insurance for peace of mind

Medipet is an insurance company that aims to ensure your financial security as much as your pet’s medical needs. Pet insurance is a practical and hassle free way of making sure that your pet is covered for when those visits to the vet become necessary. Whether it is for your animal’s annual check up or for an unexpected visit to the vet having pet insurance from a reliable company can give you all the peace of mind that you need to know that your pet is in the safety of good hands.

If your loving animal is a dog or a cat, insuring that their health costs are covered by Medipet assures you that when your cat or dog requires medical attention your monthly paid pet insurance is ready to take care of your vet bills.

Medipet offers comprehensive insurance from as little as R115 per month for cats and R125 for dogs. Pet insurance covers your animal’s basic health needs while more comprehensive and specialized insurance package options cover specific requirements for your pet.

With Medipet you can insure your animal’s health form the age of 8 weeks old. From this young age onwards you can ensure that your pet is covered with a reliable lifelong insurance of good health.

ADOPT A PET TIME!

Hi Everyone,

It is getting towards that time when children are finishing school and getting ready for thier longest holidays, and families are starting to get into the festive spirit - all the more reasons why you should consider adopting a loving dog from DARG!

Here are some beautiful animals who are waiting for a devoted family to come and pick them out of a crowd:

JOEY : 2 yr old Daschund X (w/long legs), housetrained and good with other dogs. Very friendly and energetic. Owners couldn't keep.

STORM : Approx. 7 years old Staffie. Found as a stray, never claimed. Very sweet and placid. Generally good with other dogs. No cats!

RINGO : 2 yr old X breed. Found as a stray, along with his mate Beth. Ringo is clever and alert and super affectionate He'd love an active family to love!

MARX : Adorable wire haired Jack Russel. Very loving and cuddly. Looking for loving owners! Good with other dogs. No cats (obviously ...)

GINA : 7 month old Africanis, gorgeous long tall beauty. Needs basic training. Affectionate and alert! Would suit busy active household.

GROUCHO : Hello! I'm Groucho, a wire haired lab X type dog. I'm a little energetic and need training. The good news is that I'm clever and eager to learn! Anyone looking for a devoted buddy to go on lots of outings with! I promise it will be fun ..

FRODO: Sweet Lurcher X, young, good with kids and other dogs. Found as a stray - never claimed.

If you fall in love with any of these dogs on the spot (How can you not love Marx's gorgeous face?!) then please contact DARG directly at (021) 790 0383/2050, or visit them in Main Road, Hout Bay, Cape Town. You may also email us for more information.

Long haired animals

Long haired animals are beautiful, but are usually more demanding in the grooming department than their short and medium haired friends. Short and medium haired cats and dogs can better take care of their own cleanliness than long haired animals.

Long haired animals from Persian cats to long haired Afghans and many others can have trouble keeping their fur in the cleanliest of conditions. What’s more is that long haired animals do need to be brushed to prevent knotting and clumping of the fur. You may need to brush your pet’s fur daily. Depending on your animals own specific fur, most long haired animals need frequent brushing but not excessive brushing, so the texture and length of your pet’s fur will determine how often you need to groom your pet.

If your animals fur does however become knotted and begins to mat, bathing and brushing them could help to untangle their fur. And as a last resort the fur may need to cut to prevent the matting from becoming worse. Living in the South Africa, and other similar climate countries, can also pose another aspect relevant to your long haired pet – our summers get hot! And when the temperatures are reaching into the thirties the last anyone wants is to be dragging around a long fur coat. For this, grooming parlours often cut back long fur on dogs so that your pet is more comfortable in their shorter fur for the summer months. By winter their fur would have grown out again. Cats do not usually have their fur shortened, unlike dogs, they seem able to find cooler corners to lie in during the heat of the day.

Domestic dog fights

Dogs and cats, like their wild counterparts, are largely territorial animals - that means that when they feel that their space is being intruded upon by another animal their natural instinct is to protect their territory. Dog fights can lead to terrible wounds and lesions; your dog could also be very unsettled in a fight and may need medical attention.

Dogs don’t attack other dogs just out of the blue. Dog fights mainly occur when dogs are left to roam streets on their own, or off of a leash or when they are able to rush out other dogs in passing. Before either dog takes action they will first bark and growl in warning and show signs of aggression such as a raised back and erect ears.

There are many solutions to preventing your animal from ending up in a dog fight. If your pet is trained from young not to be aggressive this can help in the breaking up of and the preventing fights. If your dog does get into a fight, and you are around when it happens, do consider your own safety in trying to break them up. Talking to your dog may calm him or her down. If your dog is on a leash you can try pulling them back and away from the other dog – this can be difficult if your dog is rather large and strong. Spraying the dogs with water, throwing a blanket over their heads or creating a distraction from the fight can often effectively break up them up.

Do however be aware that the animals are in a state of aggression and you could be bitten if you get in between the dogs. Dog bites can do a lot of harm and wounds can quickly become infected. If your dog sustains any injuries in the dog fight they should be taken to vet as soon as possible.

A thought on pet adoption

Looking around at pet stores and thinking about animal adoptions got me wondering about just who it is that adopts and gets to take an animal home? I mean what type of person is it that adopts animals as pets. Can just anybody decide that they are going to be responsible for an animal or are there more serious implications to who can ‘own’ an animal?

Beyond the charm of the idea of having an animal to call your own, pet adoption comes with real responsibility. Taking proper care of your pet means a lot more than just ensuring a dry warm place sleep with the occasional meal. Animals – like humans – need company, attention and proper feeding routines. It is fine to say that you love your pet but love extends into proper care. When adopting an animal the first things to take into consideration are whether or not you can properly care for your animal. If you have a big enough space for your pet to live in, if you can afford the veterinary costs should your vet need medical assistance, and whether or not you can provide the necessities for your animal.

There are real bonuses to pet adoption though. While giving a loving home to an animal you gain a friend who loves you unconditionally, while you can give the same kind of love right back.

How to tell the sex of your kitten

I recently adopted a six-week old kitten (from someone that was literally standing at the corner café handing them out) and have been agonizing ever since trying to determine the sex of the kitty. I’ve searched through books and the internet, and have tried everything short of seeking vet advice! So what do you do? Determining the sex of small kittens is very difficult, but here is a photograph from http://www.thepetcenter.com/exa/kitx.html that compares a female cat to a male cat to help you:

And here is another diagram from http://www.pawsonline.info/sexinga.htm which is also quite helpful:

You’ll find that if you cannot determine the sex of your kitten from these pictures, then it is best to seek vet advice, or just wait a while until your kitty gets a week or so older. There are also a number of behavioural traits associated with both of the sexes, but these are not entirely reliable as each kitten has his or her own personality and a different upbringing which can affect these traits. Of course if you get your kitty from a breeder or an adoption agency then they should be able to tell you whether your new family member is a boy or a girl.

LOST CAT: please help!

Hi everyone,

Julie's male grey Tabby has gone missing since Sunday in the Dinwiddie Germiston area. He has been neutered and has never done this before, he is two years old. His name is Binksy. She has already contacted all of the vets and adoption agencies in the area, but with no luck. Please - if you see a lonely grey cat walking around and you think it may Binksy: EMAIL us! We'll forward the information onto Julie.

Thank you for your continued support.

where have all the fluffy pets gone?

This past week I spent some time looking around a couple of pet shops. I have a friend who has been looking for a kitten and so the thought of a new animal had gripped my thoughts and where do you go when that happens – other than to a pet shop?

Well, I had not been into pet shops for quite some time and they were not really what memory had served them to be. I had this picturesque cuteness running through my mind but in truth the shops were not really filled with that idyllic sort of ‘cuteness’. Now I may be a bit preferential but when I think of pets the first thing that springs to mind is a cute fluffy – dare I say loveable – animal. Most of the animals however were neither cute, nor fluffy...arguably loveable though.

Expecting cute kittens, fluffy rabbits, and adorable puppies…I walked into pet shops only to be met by snakes, a lizard, and a lot of fish. Now personally I really like fish as pets, but when combined with snakes and lizards – who too can be loveable – I found myself glad to be going home to two cuddly, soft, furry, beautiful cats!

POLL RESULTS: CATS WIN!

The ultimate poll: cats Vs. dogs. I spent most of the week wincing at the figures because they were neck-in-neck for so long! Thank goodness someone won out - Cats won by ONE VOTE which means they are, of course, the superior creature! Okay, we'll take this poll again in a few weeks to see if that's really true or if that's just the way things turned out. Be sure to vote in this week's poll: should cat and dog sterilisation be government funded (and thus free to pet owners)?

Indoor pets

Just because you do not have a garden, does not mean that you cannot have a pet of you own! Many animals can thrive living indoors. What a pet really needs is lots and lots of love and care.

Although certain animals do extremely well living as indoor pets you need to think practically about the needs of the specific animal before you decide to keep him or her inside. If the pet in question is a large dog that needs space to run around in or if it is an animal that needs grass and outdoor space, then for obvious and practical reasons, the pet should be able to roam freely in the space and the safety of their own garden.

Keeping a cat as indoor pets is more common than keeping dogs indoors but if your dog is small enough you dog can do as well living inside. With a pet living indoors it also means that your animal might not be getting as much exercise as they would be getting outdoors. Having another pet for company and by playing with your animals you can keep them alert and stimulated. You will however need to keep a cat litter tray and to prevent your cat from scratching on your furniture - you may need to get hold of a scratching post!

The dreaded flea attack

Turning up with red itchy spots can be rather horrifying. The worst seems to ramble on through your mind – from all kinds of diseases, to all kinds of insect bites. But then it dawns on you that yesterday your beloved friend – your cat or dog – was scratching rather vigorously. And suddenly you realize you share the same symptoms as you spot a suspicious jumping black grain of rice. Suddenly you have got it – your red spots and your pets scratching have a common cause…the flea.

Getting rid of fleas can be quite a task. But if left unhandled the problem can escalate into your pets developing skin rashes and they will even resort to pulling out their own fur to quell the itching. The pesky insects are external parasites that bite into the skin to feed off of blood. They cause more irritation than harm but they do need to be gotten rid of to prevent any larger scale problems.

Your local vet can help in your battle to beat the fleas. Remedies against fleas range from tablets, to anti-flea and tick shampoos, to sprays or drops and even anti-flea collars are available to make your pet’s and your life that much more enjoyable without the unnecessary worrying about redness and itching from this pesky little parasite.

Just remember: baby cats and dogs need to have special flea-removing shampoo or cream, so check with your vet if they have anything suitable.

Medipet Joins FACEBOOK

Facebook is the latest and greatest social interaction tool on the internet today, and now you can join up at the MEDIPET facebook group for general discussions, information and more.
Join up at http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=5041768903 today!

Pet Accidents: when you least expect it

Pet accidents can often be cases of emergency and veterinary bills can add up to thousands of rands. Your animal is your best friend, your confidant and your very special responsibility. Because you love your pet you naturally want the best for them, especially when they need your help, and with pet insurance you don’t have to let your beloved animal down in their time of need.

Costly vet bills can leave you feeling helpless and pressured when your pet is in need of medical attention. If you are not prepared or have not made provision for a pet accident your pet’s life as well as your financial security will be in danger. But with the assurance of those unexpected vet costs covered your pets health does not have to suffer just because you can’t afford the costs of medical help. Medical help for your pet is affordable. And with insurance cover your payments are conveniently spread to affordable amounts on a monthly basis rather than one bank breaking lump sum.

Pet accidents can occur at anytime – when you least expect it and very often when you are the least prepared for it. Being safe and watchful with your pets and being aware of their whereabouts is a good place to start. Having the reliability of a good pet insurance is another way to ensure your beloved animals safety. Check out the MediPet website at www.medipetsa.co.za.

Some general pet insurance information relating to Medipet SA – the fine print.

So many insurance companies get you with their ridiculous fine print, so I have taken the time to expose of much of the Medipet fine print as possible. You will find that their conditions are very generous, and that there is nothing sneaky about it! By making everything visible within the insurance plan product, Medipet is able to provide clients with all of the decision making tools that they may require.

You need to make sure that your pet’s vaccinations are up to date before you apply because there are so many diseases out there. It is also in the animal’s best interest that they are fully vaccinated and these vaccinations are kept up to date annually.

You need to submit your form within sixty days of the treatment being carried out.

MediPet is underwritten by Renasa Insurance Company Limited. If you would like to know more, please visit Renasa’s website. (www.renasa.co.za)

Your Medipet policy is activated on the day that you sign up for the plan, but you may not put in a claim within the first fourteen days of signing up.

The Medipet policy does not hold you to any contracts. If you want to cancel you need only submit one month’s notice in writing. If you cancel within the first fourteen days you are entitled to a full refund of your premium. If you cancel your policy after the initial 14 days any refunds due will be on a pro-rata basis.

Don’t forget – you can also go to any registered vet of your choice within South Africa.

Some more insurance information

Today we will be discussing how to claim from your Medipet pet insurance. This is usually the hardest part of any insurance plan, but Medipet have gone the extra length to make sure that you will be immediately attended to.

HOW TO CLAIM with Medipet pet insurance

Claiming is easy. All you need to do is complete a claim form, attach it to the medical bills, and then send it on to Medipet.

You can get these claim forms from your local vet, or off of the Medipet site when it is up and running again. You can also email Medipet directly at info@medipetsa.co.za, or call their toll free number at 0800 MEDIPET (0800 6334738).

Once the form is completed you can fax it together with all bills to 021 701 2027, or post it to PO Box 31596, Tokai 7966. Your claim will be settled within 10 working days. Claims are refunded directly to you, and will be deposited directly into your specified bank account.

Here is a point form indication of the pet insurance product:


CATS
Own policy ‘Medi-pet’

1.Vets fees (per annum)
R25, 000
2.Vets fee excess (per claim)
R250
3.Death from illness/accident
R500
4.Advertising/reward
R250
5.Boarding cattery fees p.a.
R750


DOGS
Own policy ‘Medi-pet’

1.Vets fees (per annum)
R25, 000
2.Vets fee excess (per claim)
R250
3.Death from illness/accident
R1000
4.Advertising/reward
R250
5.Third party liability
R1,000,000
6.Boarding kennel fees p.a.
R1000
7.Theft (with police case no.)
R1000
8.Burglar reward
R500

There are also some important general points that you should be aware of:

Medipet SA do not set an age limit on your animal – they must be signed up when they are between eight weeks and nine years of age, and then they are covered for life.

Another great aspect of this pet insurance plan is that you do not have to change your vet. As discussed in an earlier post, the importance of finding a vet that you trust and bond with is great, and with the Medipet scheme you can continue to visit your favourite vet – or any other registered vet within South Africa.

Though recommended, your animal does not have to have a microchip or a tattoo.

These, amongst other points, are what sets Medipet apart from other pet insurance companies in South Africa. We’ll go over some more benefits tomorrow. Please email us your comments and opinions!

The Ultimate Poll - extended

CATS Vs. DOGS - poll results were a tie! (inevitable?) I've extended the poll voting for another week so that we can try to get a winner.

The cost of pet insurance

Hi Everyone!

As promised, this week we’ll be looking at pet insurance as provided by the South African Pet Insurers MEDIPET SA. They are currently having their website remodeled, but you will soon be able to visit them at www.medipetsa.co.za. For now though, we will be covering some really important information. If you need further details, please do not hesitate to email us at the blog, or contact MEDIPET INSURANCE directly on 0800 MEDIPET.

First off, and most importantly, today we’re going to discuss the cost and coverage. This is because most insurance agencies leave that bit out till last – it’s often very expensive and scary! This is not the case with Medipet Insurance. It costs R115pm for a cat and R125pm for a dog. For this you get R25 000pa coverage, with an excess of R250 per claim. That’s the cost of two movie tickets a month (without popcorn), or pizza for two. You can have peace of mind for almost no investment. The coverage also does not have any specific limits: it is just R25 000 pa of general cover.

So with this cost in mind, how is Medipet Insurance able to provide so much cover for such a little monthly installment? There are a number of things which are not covered by this pet insurance. These include regular pregnancy and delivery, grooming and behavioral problems, elective procedures, hereditary or congenital defects, pre-existing conditions (before insurance was taken out), foods and diets of your choice (unless specifically advised by your vet to assist in clearing up a medical condition).

This may seem like a lot of things that are not covered, but just look at the list of things that are covered:
· Accidental injuries
· Any illnesses
· Operations
· Dog fight lacerations
· Gastric torsion
· Tumour removals
· Snake Bites
· Hip replacements
· R50 per day for kennels, catteries or pet sitters (not living with you), if you are suddenly ill or unable to look after your pet
· Advertising & reward cover – R250 p.a. for cats and R1 000 p.a. for dogs
· R100 p.m. for prescription diet needed to treat an illness for up to 6 months, on recommendation from your vet
And more, of course. Hip replacements, for example, can end up costing you the kind of fortune that most people don’t have lying around.

You wouldn’t not have medical insurance for a member of your family, which of course your pet is, so it is great that there is a local company out there that is committed to providing pet owners with affordable and reliable pet insurance which really delivers.

Insurance Week

When you are looking for insurance, you are often bombarded with so many insurance package options. How do you know which one to choose? How do you know what you are going to need – after all you do not want to be paying for unnecessary cover but you still want to know that you have the cover you may need.

Insurance packages for pets are no different. My animal’s needs must be covered and with handled hassle free assurance. I want to know that if anything should happen - from a car accident to an allergic reaction – my animal’s safety is the first priority. I do not want to worry about how much I will need to fork out at the vet when something does happen.

We all like to think that we are prepared for when something goes wrong but we can never predict when, or where, or how severe an accident or illness can be. So we need our pet’s insurance packages to be comprehensive enough to make sure that whatever happens to our animals they can be taken care of with out us worrying about our financial situations. I can keep my focus on my pet’s health and needs and not have to worry about what the vet bill is going to be. A well covered and suitable insurance gives me peace of mind and insures my animals well being.

This week we will be discussing various pet insurance topics relating to South African pet insurance issues. Be sure to check back for follow ups!

Update on local community events

Hi everyone,

Abandoned, the website that supports the love and care of all pets, has sent us their monthly newsletter updating us with all of the fantastic community events happening in your area. Here are a few taken from the newsletter, but be sure to sign up yourself at www.abandoned.co.za.

TEARS - Charity ShopThanks to the overwhelming support from the community, TEARS (The Emma Animal Rescue Society) is delighted to announce that we have now opened a fourth Charity Shop at 149 Main Road, Muizenberg (opposite Muizenberg Park)! Being a NGO, TEARS does not receive funding from the government, and relies entirely on the generosity of the general public and animal lovers. A great way to help us if you are unable to provide financial aid is by supporting our Charity Shops - by either donating unwanted items, visiting and acquiring fantastic bargains, or volunteering your services to help.

Our shops have a vast selection of goods for sale - from antiques and collectables, household items and jewellery to quality, fashionable clothing for gents, ladies and children - we have it all! We are open from Monday to Friday from 09h00 to 17h00 and Saturdays from 09h00 to 13h00. Our other shops are situated at Harry Goemans Centre, Main Road, Bergvliet and Recreation Road, Fish Hoek, and at our premises in Lekkerwater Road, Sunnydale, which is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 09h00 - 13h00.
All proceeds directly support our rescued animals. Donations are always gratefully appreciated! For more information, contact the TEARS Office on 021 785 4482.

PUPP's Raffle
PUPP's raffle will return to Howard Centre, Pinelands on Friday 24th, Sunday 26th November and Sunday 3rd December 2006, from 9am to 5pm. Our presentation and tickets sales were most successful on the weekend of 29th/30th September and I would like to thank Cheryl Hopkins, Shirley Newton and Philiswa for their help and really great effort.Should you have one, or more, of these times free to help us raise funds for our sterilization campaign in the poor and destitute settlements of Cape Town, please call Annette on 021 696 5294 or 072 1061487. Perhaps you would like to sell a booklet to friends and family and receive your own free ticket.1st Prize - Accommodation for 4 at Ngwenya Lodge, bordering the Kruger National Park, for the week 24th November to 1st December, 2007 worth R10 000.00 (transport not included)2nd Prize - Dinner to the value of R720.00 at Peddlars on the Bend, Constantia 3rd Prize - A deluxe barbecue set4th Prize - A gift hamper of Charlotte Rhys perfume and beauty products5th Prize - 3 Litre Magnum Welgemeend Estate Douelle 2000


TEARS - Book Sales, Longbeach MallLike to get your nose stuck in a good book? Then why not support our Book Sales at Longbeach Mall! We have a vast library of books, itching to have their scripts red and pages turned.26 October (Outside Pick ‘n Pay)27 October (Outside Pick ‘n Pay)23 – 24 November (Outside Pick ‘n Pay)

Animal Rescue Organisation - 21st Birthday Party
Animal Rescue has reached the big 21 and we are planning a huge party on the night of Saturday 27 October 2007 at the Groote Schuur High School, Palmyra Road, Newlands. (Right next to the cricket stadium). Top SA comedian Allan Committie (Defending the Caveman & Laugh Out Loud,Mnet) will be our entertainment and Charmaine Noy from Kfm will be our MC. We are sure it will be a hilarious night of fun followed by a Disco featuring all the best loved dance hits up to present day.
Tickets are selling now for R175 pp which includes supper and Alan Committie’s show and the disco until 12pm. We have some corporates who may book a table or two for their staff, so consider this for your friends and colleagues. Karen@animalrescue.org.za or call me 021-3965511/ 072 019 6292.

We're still looking for JACK the missing puppy

Jack went missing from his daddy's garden on 18 September at about 18:00. He stays in Bellevue Road in Sea Point, Cape Town. Jack is an Alsation cross Husky and is only 11 weeks old. Jack was wearing a canvas material collar.If you have seen Jack or know where he is please call Astrid on 021 421 0500 or 084 400 42 11. (Abandoned.co.za)

Kitten Season!!

I spent the most of today searching for a kitten to adopt. After ‘booking’ one at the local AACL, I arrived to find that my kitten had already been adopted by another devoted pet owner. I then phoned around to the other local animal adoption agencies to find a cat (I was that determined to get one!) and I was certainly surprised.

Not only is kitten season not in full swing yet, but the prices of kittens from animal adoption agencies has skyrocketed since the last ‘kitten season’. The SPCA requires that you pay a R100-00 deposit, then they check out your home. If approved, you may then go and pick your kitten and pay the rest of the fee – R250-00. Initially I thought that this was a bit steep, but then I considered what was included…

- the first injections (usually about R200-00)
- the sterilization (also largely expensive)
- micro chipping (so that you can always find your cat if s/he goes missing)

Which means that you are not only saving money, but are purchasing a fail safe method of reuniting your family with your cat should it ever go missing.

Still, it seems excessive that you have to pay so much money, compared to the AACL who charge R150-00 or DARG who charge R250-00. On the other hand, shouldn’t these animal agencies just be trying to find good homes for their pets? And then, if you can’t afford to pay the R350-00, will you be able to give your cat such a good home? What happens if your cat is involved in an accident, or if it has to have special food? Perhaps this is another good reason why pet insurance is taking off locally.

Pet Vet

Hi everyone,

Chenna is right about finding a good vet. People who love their pets like a member of the family need to make sure that they know where the best local vet is in their immediate area. I also find it incredibly helpful to have an account with my vet so that if anything has to happen to Milo or Butters then I just nip down and have it sorted out. There is nothing worse than having to hang around filling out forms when your pet is in medical trouble! By having a vet account you just walk in, get the problem sorted out, and worry about payment later.

This is especially a good idea if you have pet insurance. Pet insurance costs very little from a reliable insurance provider like MediPet SA, and you can be sure that you will always have enough to cover the unexpected hip replacement or other ailment. In fact, it really does just cost you the price of two single movie tickets a month to get your cat insured. Just let your favourite vet know about your account details, and everything will get sorted out for you the next time you have to rush to the vet.

People take for granted that there are people-hospitals in their nearby vicinity, and everyone knows how to get there, but don't fall victim to panic and confusion when something happens to your pet and you have to get it sorted out quickly - if you don't prepare before hand you can end up spending valuable hours searching for a vet that is open after hours. (We had to do this for the people in my family the other day, and I was so sorry that I didn't know of any doctors around here that were open after hours!)

Anyway, as the saying goes: it's better to be safe than sorry.

New Poster: Chenna

This is just to announce a new poster on our site: Welcome Chenna!

Moving to Cape Town - the vet dilemma

When it comes to my animals I want to know that they are getting the proper – and the best – healthcare when they need it. In just the same way that I want to know that when I go to see a doctor I am seeing a professional who knows what they are doing.

Moving from one city to another means that, like your own doctor, your pet’s vet also has to change. And I had to find a Cape Town vet that was as good to my pets as their previous vet was. Living in busy Cape Town also means that I want a vet that is nearby, accessible and responsible with the decisions made as to my pet’s health.

So far the Cape Town vets I have dealt with seem to be very well trained and are genuinely caring and interested in the needs of my animals. It is not enough for me for a vet to just administer – I also want my animals to experience the least amount of stress possible when at the vet. Whether my pets are making their check up visit to the vet or whether they are going in for more serious reasons I want full peace of mind.

Cape Town is definitely up in the top rankings when it comes to cities who geniunely care about their pets.

Another comment on the barking dog bylaw & POLL RESULTS

Hello again,

Alright, I promised a follow up! The POLL RESULTS are as follows:

How many dogs should you be allowed to keep in your home?

53% say that you should be allowed to have FOUR dogs
38% say TWO
7% say that you should be allowed to keep as many as you like

The truth of the matter is that you are only allowed to have two dogs on your property unless you are a breeder residing on agricultural property. If you want more then you have to apply at your local municipality. This applies to your local vet nurse, adoption agency or dog breeder too. This has, apparently, been the law for quite some time, but as a result of the barking dog fiasco, it is going to start getting enforced.

Upset residents who are disturbed by barking dogs say that the lack of regulation as to the number of dogs kept on a residential property is the direct cause of their worries. Adoption agencies are pro this law because it is going to save a lot of animals that are otherwise neglected. In this light, the law makes complete sense.

Of course it is when you consider that there are mean neighbours out there that might report your little yapping sausage dog that everything falls out of perspective. It really boils down to this law having a postive side and a negative side.

There are a number of processes set in place that these doggy police will go through when your dog is reported (to protect you against those nasty neighbours), but it seems that a lot of dog owners are going to be slapped with a hefty fine. This can be up to R20,000! Not the kind of pocket change that a lot of us have lying around.

A lot of people are suggesting that you take your yapping dog to your local vet nurse for a special no-bark procedure, but I can think of nothing worse! Of course, if it a choice between no barking or no living, there's not much to say.

Please send me your comments!