PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Stephen Courtney — Thu, 30 Jan 2014 00:04:54 GMT

I have happily written breed certificates on a very few occasions as the animals were obvious crossbreed dogs. usually the confusion has arisen from a rescue centre calling a random black and white dog a Border Collie.

I have never been asked to certify an animal as a cross breed when it wasn't true.

Regarding an insurance company refusing cover because the breed was written down as some non existent word, I would argue that one hard, and help the client take them to the ombudsman. a threat to do that usually results on a rapid change of heart. Doesn't have to be E&L - they seem a little more ethical these days - but there are plenty of new companies around that try it on too.

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

JudyB — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 21:21:11 GMT

I don't know which company. I will find out and post when I do. There aren't many companies that allow breeders to give their policies away with the puppies so it will be easy to find out. Unfortunately the breeder is completely unhelpful and is likely to be selling "insured" puppies of various crosses to other unwitting buyers. She had a male bulldog and several bitches of different breeds. Look out veterinary world, we will be picking up the pieces!

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Hannah Wynne Richards — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 16:01:30 GMT

Grob I think the client was trying to bully you by lieing in saying that PetPlan had said, "go to another vet." It just doesn't make any sense for them to tell an owner to change veterinary surgeons to one who will certify something that REDUCES their premiums.

Wynne

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Cat Henstridge — Wed, 29 Jan 2014 14:04:00 GMT

[quote user="JudyB"]We had a client who had a cross between a Bulldog and a Sharpei which was described as a Bullpei on their insurance form supplied by the "breeder". [/quote]

I am amazed anyone would agree to insure such a combination! Absolute disaster waiting to happen on so many fronts!

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Evelyn Barbour-Hill — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 23:39:34 GMT

[quote user="JudyB"]When the owner contacted the insurance company about a claim, the insurance was apparently not valid because the breed described did not exist as a breed![/quote]

Sounds like an E&L job.

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Joyce Whitehead — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 23:09:07 GMT

Which company Judy? Surely this is a case for the ombudsman as the company accepted the initial insurance request for a policy? So therefore they should pay out. On an aside, bulldog cross shar pei! Who in earth thought that up.....

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

JudyB — Tue, 28 Jan 2014 22:09:55 GMT

On a similar type of problem we have recently had a very disturbing case. We had a client who had a cross between a Bulldog and a Sharpei which was described as a Bullpei on their insurance form supplied by the "breeder". The puppy then proceeded to eat some weird objects and had extensive surgery to remove linear foreign bodies. When the owner contacted the insurance company about a claim, the insurance was apparently not valid because the breed described did not exist as a breed! Puppy farmer obviously refused to take any blame, or interest in the case and the owner now owes us for a procedure that they can't afford. Please ask the owners of any of the hundreds of "cross breeds" we now see such as cockerpoo, labradoodle, cavachon etc etc etc to check their insurance cover. There must be hundreds of owners out there paying for useless insurances.

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Niall Taylor — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 18:42:48 GMT

[quote user="grob"]Rang Pet Plan..... they have agreed to make the decision by looking at photos that the owner will send in.[/quote]

So... what does that mean? Did Pet Plan just make up the requirement for a vet certificate of breed? Why did they ask you in the first place if they were prepared to trust the owner all along?

Sheesh!!!

Niall

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Robert Wilson — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 16:05:50 GMT

Not my problem!

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Neil Wheadon — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:23:38 GMT

Provided it's not someone elses

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Robert Wilson — Mon, 27 Jan 2014 15:18:42 GMT

Rang Pet Plan..... they have agreed to make the decision by looking at photos that the owner will send in.

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Neil Wheadon — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:35:38 GMT

[quote user="Michael Woodhouse"]Does it look like a cocker spaniel or a cocker spaniel cross?[/quote]

I agree with Michael.

Seems reasonably straightforward. If the dog looks like a cross then she's being truthful and you can back this up with a letter. If it looks like a pure Cocker Spaniel and they are 'trying it on' do you want them as a client anyway? Getting a second vet to collaborate would be a good idea. The PDSA do this all the time with their 'One pedigree Pet Rule' They use the word type, especially with Staffies.

I would guess that Petplan simply want a letter along the lines of 'In my opinion' but I'd check with the VDS.

Neil

Re: PetPlan asking for Vet Certification of Dog Breed

Michael Woodhouse — Sun, 26 Jan 2014 23:23:51 GMT

Does it look like a cocker spaniel or a cocker spaniel cross?