Petplan pledges free pet insurance for Ukrainian refugees
“We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events in Ukraine and the impact the war is having on people and their pets" Kieran O'Keeffe, Petplan.
Insurance provider Petplan has announced that it will be offering free pet insurance to all Ukrainian families bringing their pets to the UK via the Homes for Ukraine scheme.
Announcing the move at the recent Petplan Veterinary Awards, the insurer revealed that pets will be able to receive treatment under its Classic Covered for Life policy. Under this policy, owners will be able to claim up to £4,000 should their pet fall ill or become injured during the first year of living in the UK.
It comes after Petplan's charity arm - the Petplan Charitable Trust - donated £25,000 to the Blue Cross Ukraine Pet Welfare Fund to help animal welfare charities on the Ukrainian front line.
Kieran O'Keeffe, managing director at Petplan, said: “We are deeply concerned and saddened by the events in Ukraine and the impact the war is having on people and their pets. At Petplan, we know that pets are part of the family and that many Ukrainians are taking their pets with them as they flee to safety.
“We recognise the important role pets will continue to play in the lives of these Ukrainian families. We hope that by providing them with free Petplan insurance we can at least reduce their concerns over veterinary costs and ensure that their pets have access to the care they need.”
To find out more about the support, Ukrainian families or their English-speaking hosts may contact Petplan on 0330 057 3662.
Should a pet be presented to a UK veterinary practice by a Ukrainian refugee without pet insurance, the practice team should call Petplan’s Vetline on 0330 102 1606 - and financial support will be provided retrospectively.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
