FILIPINOS love their dogs and cats now more than ever. The numbers even bear this out. Here are a few interesting facts about Filipino fur parents and their fur babies, according to the Fédération Cynologique Internationale:
- Highest in Asia-Pacific. An amazing 67% of households in the Philippines have one or more dogs. There are more dog owners in the country compared to the rest of the Asia-Pacific region. Cat owners aren’t far behind; 43% of Filipino households have cats.
- By the millions. In 2020, it was found that there are 11.6 million dog owners in the Philippines who stay with 10.8 million dogs in their homes. That number includes 1.57 million registered purebred dogs.
- Still growing. More dogs (and presumably cats, too) are joining Filipino families as the years go by. In 2022, there were 137,000 dogs registered as new furry family members. This is a higher number compared to that of 2020 when 94,000 dogs were added.
Just like any family member, fur babies need professional medical care. This isn’t so easy for all households that also have to deal with other expenses. A fur parent revealed that he once paid P39,000 after his beloved dog’s hospitalization. His dog was already a senior and had health issues.
Even routine tests and procedures like blood tests, stool tests, vaccinations, neutering, spaying; or treatments for distemper, heartworm, parvovirus, and other conditions can add up to thousands of pesos. Every responsible and loving fur parent will do their best to shoulder the costs—but it would be easier on them if there’s a way to cover such expenses.
Healthcare for fur babies
One such means is pet insurance, which safeguards the health of fur babies, especially in the face of emergencies when veterinary expenses may skyrocket. It also offers financial protection to fur parents, as it helps cover these out-of-budget and unexpected costs.
BDO Insure, a wholly-owned subsidiary of BDO Unibank, offers affordable and customizable pet dog and cat insurance plans. Starting at P560, fur parents can insure their beloved pets against accidental injuries, including bone fractures, poisoning, or burns. Insurance coverage ranges from P15,000 to P30,000 per accident (up to five incidents) under Plans A to D.
Pet dogs and cats, aged 3 months to 6 years of age, are eligible as long as they are kept as household members and not used for commercial purposes, such as racing or breeding. To apply, pet owners must provide their pet’s immunization/vaccination record book/pet book, vet clinic, vet’s name and license number, and photos.
BDO Insure is committed to providing affordable and customizable Pet Dog and Cat Insurance options that fit the pet’s and pet owner’s lifestyle. For more information on BDO Pet Dog and Cat Insurance, visit their website at www.bdo.com.ph/bdoinsure/pet.
BDO Insure is a registered trademark of BDO Insurance Brokers, Inc., an insurance broker licensed and supervised by the Insurance Commission of the Philippines. Clients can email at bdo-insure@bdo.com.ph or call at +63 (2) 8838-2364 or 1800-10-8382364 (Domestic Toll-free; available Mondays to Fridays, except holidays from 8AM-6PM). They can visit BDO branches where representatives are based. (UnliNews Online)
