3.8 Million Pet Cats And Dogs Have Gone Missing In The Last Five Years

    LONDON, ENGLAND, May 16, 2009 /24-7PressRelease/ -- New research from Sainsbury's Finance indicates that 12% of people who own or have owned a cat during the past five years have suffered from them going missing, and the corresponding figure for dog owners is 4%

3.8 million pet cats and dogs have gone missing in the last five years

* · One in five owners whose dog or cat has gone missing believes it was stolen
* · Sainsbury's pet insurance provides up to GBP1,000 towards the advertising costs for a lost dog or cat and up to GBP750 compensation if the pet is lost or stolen and not returned(2)

New research from Sainsbury's Finance indicates that 12% of people who own or have owned a cat during the past five years have suffered from them going missing, and the corresponding figure for dog owners is 4%. In total, this means 3.8 million GB residents have had to suffer this anguish. Alarmingly, 6% of these people were adamant that their animals were stolen and a further 14% said that it was quite likely that their animal had been a victim of theft.

Sainsbury's pet insurance provides up to GBP1,000 towards the advertising costs for a lost dog or cat and up to GBP750 compensation if the pet is lost or stolen and not returned(2).

Lucy Hunter, Sainsbury's Pet Insurance Manager, said: "It's a huge worry that so many cats and dogs are going missing, and very alarming that such a large number of pet owners believe their pet was stolen. Given our findings and the fact that the Pets Bureau(3) says that a third of dogs reported as missing are recorded as stolen, pet-knapping is a very real crime that should be taken seriously".

"Just last year more than 50 cats went missing in Stourbridge, West Midlands, with many owners fearing that they had been stolen. The area became known as a feline Bermuda Triangle(4).

"It's worth noting that not all pet insurance polices recognise the importance of providing support in the form of advertising or reward benefits to owners who have lost their pet."

Tragically, Sainsbury's Finance's research suggests that only 55% of people whose pet cat or dog went missing in the past five years ever saw their animal alive again. 32% said their pet never returned, and 14% said they were found dead. One in five (19%) claim that their pet returned of its own accord, 17% found their animals themselves and 19% said that they were returned to them by a third party.

Sainsbury's Finance says there are a number of reasons why pets are being stolen. These range from the re-sale value of the animal, Bengal cats for example can sell for thousands of pounds, to the potential earnings made from breeding. Some pets are even stolen and then ransomed back to their owners. The breeds of dogs which are most likely to be stolen includes Staffordshire Bull Terriers, Jack Russells, German Shepherd Dogs, Labradors, Rottweilers and Border Collies(3).

Sainsbury's Finance offers the following tips on how to reduce the chances of your pet going missing or worse, being stolen:
· Ensure that your pet wears a collar and pet identification tag
· Have your pet micro-chipped. This takes seconds and is virtually painless. Consult your local vet for details
· Keep garden boundaries as secure as possible to prevent your dog from escaping and also to deter thieves from entering
· Always supervise your dog, whether it is in your own garden or in a public area
· Try to avoid tying your dog up outside a shop or leaving it unattended
· If you use a dog walker, make sure that they are reputable
· Vary your routes when walking your dog

Sainsbury's Finance research reveals that the measures owners go to in order to find their missing pets includes putting up posters in their neighbourhood to placing adverts in their local papers. However, only 15% informed the police about their dogs or cats being missing.

Table indicating methods by which people seek the return of missing cats and dogs

Means of attempting to find a missing cat or dog Percentage of GB adults who have had a cat or dog go missing in the last five years who tried this (1)
Conducted my own thorough search of the surrounding neighbourhood 68%
Made enquiries with neighbours 65%
Informed the RSPCA / local dog or cat homes 40%
Informed police 15%
Offered a reward for its safe return 13%
Placed an advertisement in the paper 8%

Good quality pet insurance does not need to be expensive, good cover at a competitive price can be found by shopping around. Sainsbury's pet insurance is designed to offer some of the widest range of benefits available at a competitive price. For further information call 0800 0565758, log on to www.sainsburys.co.uk or pick up a leaflet in a Sainsbury's supermarket.

Sainsbury's provide a wide range of financial services including pet insurance, life insurance, savings accounts and url=http://www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/insuring/ins_homeinsurance_hom_skip.shtml] home insurance[/url], visit www.sainsburysbank.co.uk now to find out more.

Sainsbury's Finance:
To view our latest press releases and product information, please visit the Sainsbury's Finance online media centre at www.sainsburysfinance.co.uk/media.

Sainsbury's Finance offers a range of quality, competitively priced, award-winning products. It opened for business on 19th February 1997 and was the UK's first supermarket bank. It is a 50:50 joint venture with Sainsbury's and Lloyds Banking Group.

Sainsbury's Finance offers the following products: Credit Cards and Loans, a range of Savings products and Car Insurance, Life Insurance, Home Insurance, Travel Insurance and Pet Insurance

For further information and general Sainsbury's Finance enquiries customers can call the freephone number on 0500 40 50 60 or visit www.sainsburysfinance.co.uk

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