Even cats and dogs are vulnerable to the effects of the global economic crisis, reveals new research conducted by a supermarket financial services provider.
Sainsburys Bank has calculated that 836,000 pet owners are no longer taking their domestic animals to the vet for regular check-ups as they can no longer afford it. The bank also found that 247,000 people in the UK have refused veterinary treatment for their sick cat or dog or worse still, some have had to have their animal put to sleep.
Joanne Mallon, Sainsbury's Pet Insurance manager, said: "One way to make sure your beloved dog or cat doesn't suffer is to make sure that you have adequate insurance cover should they have an accident or fall ill."
PetPlan, the pet insurance provider, recently published a study which showed that common recurring problems for dogs can cost as much as £1,000 per year in veterinary bills.




