Italian dog and cat owners will
be now be able to buy insurance for their pets for 120 euros per
year.
Those who receive an exemption from paying for public
healthcare will be given a 50% discount.
The Dottor Bau & Dottor Miao private insurance system was
launched by MIAS Italian healthcare insurance group in
partnership with Fare Ambiente, Movimento Ecologista Europeo,
and the EuropAssistance insurance company at the press room of
the Chamber of Deputies.
MIAS chairman Claudio Andrea La Rosa noted that this
insurance had been initiated "in a social segment that needs
support, seeing as over 55% of Italian families have a pet.
There are about 15 million cats and dogs" in homes.
"Pets are a social shock absorber," he continued, that save
"over 4.5 billion euros in the healthcare system".
This is why, he said, "adopting a dog or cat should not be a
luxury. It has social value."
Among the services offered are ethical cremation and search
efforts if the pet gets lost.
FareAmbiente chief Vincenzo Pepe noted that it would help
prevent the abandoning of pets, "because it supports families
with cats and dogs in the times of difficulty".
The insurance will begin at the end of the month and will be
available online on its own website as well as through social
media networks, pet shops, retail outlets and the Guardie
Ecozoofile of FareAmbiente.
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