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New record of pet insurance claims in 2021
In 2021, 1,029,000 claims were notified, 764,000 for dogs, 225,000 for cats and 40,000 for other animals.
ABI reveals £2.4 million processed per day last year.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has announced that UK pet insurers processed a record £872 million in claims in 2021.

A record 1.03 million claims were also handled by insurers in 2021, surpassing the previous 2017 record of 1.02 million claims. 

Data from the ABI revealed that pet insurers processed a whopping £2.4 million per day over the course of the year.

An increase was also identified in the number of people purchasing pet insurance, which rose 4.5 per cent to 3.7 million. This is the highest number of purchases since 2017 - unsurprising given that 3.2 million British households got a new pet over the pandemic, according to data from the PFMA.

With the rising cost of veterinary care, the ABI's data has revealed that the average pet insurance claim rose by almost four per cent in 2021, with the average claim value rising from £817 in 2020 to £848 in 2021. 

Jonathan Purvis, policy adviser in general insurance at the ABI, addressed pet owners: “Whether they’re curious cats, playful puppies or even a timid tortoise, our pets are members of the family. 

“They might offer us a great deal of happiness, but there’s no doubt they can keep us on our toes with their adventurous ways.

“With no NHS for pets, insurers are there to protect you and your furry friend when they get into mishaps or fall ill. 

“As the cost of living crisis starts to bite, insurance can give you the peace of mind that, should your pet need medical care, the costs won’t leave you feeling sick as a parrot.”

Reiterating the importance of pet insurance, the ABI revealed recent examples of the average cost of pet care, including feline respiratory conditions (£726), epilepsy in dogs (£3,300), soft tissue sarcoma treatment for cats (over £12,200) and treatment for canine diabetes (over £1,200).

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Birmingham Dogs Home makes urgent appeal

News Story 1
 Birmingham Dogs Home has issued an urgent winter appeal as it faces more challenges over the Christmas period.

The rescue centre has seen a dramatic increase in dogs coming into its care, and is currently caring for over 200 dogs. With rising costs and dropping temperatures, the charity is calling for urgent support.

It costs the charity £6,000 per day to continue its work.

Fi Harrison, head of fundraising and communications, said: "It's heart-breaking for our team to see the conditions some dogs arrive in. We really are their last chance and hope of survival."

More information about the appeal can be found here. 

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News Shorts
Avian flu confirmed at premises in Cornwall

A case of highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1 has been detected in commercial poultry at a premises near Rosudgeon, Cornwall.

All poultry on the infected site will be humanely culled, and a 3km protection zone and 10km surveillance zone have been put in place. Poultry and other captive birds in the 3km protection zone must be housed.

The case is the second avian flu case confirmed in commercial poultry this month. The H5N5 strain was detected in a premises near Hornsea, East Riding of Yorkshire, in early November. Before then, the disease had not been confirmed in captive birds in England since February.

The UK chief veterinary officer has urged bird keepers to remain alert and practise robust biosecurity.

A map of the disease control zones can be found here.