Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. Celebrates Pet Parent's Day® With Customizable e-cards

BREA, Calif., March 16, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- National Pet Parent's Day is April 17, and Veterinary Pet Insurance Co. (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance, is celebrating the special day with a free customizable Pet Parent's Day e-card. Beginning March 15 and extending through the month of April, visitors to www.PetParentsDay.com can send an American Greetings e-card to the pet owners in their lives who consider four-legged friends a part of the family. Senders can personalize the pet-themed e-card by adding a photo and either entering a suggested greeting or composing a message recognizing their favorite pet parents for all the selfless hours of baths, belly rubs, and trips to the veterinarian.

"VPI couldn't be happier that American Greetings is joining us in celebrating Pet Parent's Day," said Curtis Steinhoff, director of Corporate Communications at VPI. "VPI kicked off Pet Parent's Day four years ago with the idea that pet owners should be acknowledged for the love, energy, and time they put into their pets without expecting anything but love in return. Pet Parent's Day is a way of saying to pet owners, 'Thank you for all you do.'"

After personalizing their e-card, senders can decide whether to have the card delivered immediately or on April 17, Pet Parent's Day. Senders and recipients will also be able to share the finished pet parent e-card with family and friends on Facebook.

Recent American Veterinary Medical Association surveys have revealed that nearly half of pet owners consider their pets as family members. Among U.S. pet caregivers, young pet owners without children and older pet owners whose children have left home are most likely to consider themselves to be pet "parents." Pet parents demonstrate parental behavior by buying presents for their pets on holidays, designating a seat at the dinner table for their pets, or giving their pets a role in their wedding or other special occasions.

About Veterinary Pet Insurance

With more than 485,000 pets insured nationwide, Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the No. 1 veterinarian-recommended pet health insurance company and is a member of the Nationwide Insurance family of companies. Providing pet owners with peace of mind since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted choice of America's pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPI Pet Insurance plans cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional Pet CareGuard® for routine care is also available.

Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. More than 2,000 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance as an employee benefit. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company in Madison, Wisconsin. Pet owners can find VPI Pet Insurance on Facebook or follow @VPI on Twitter. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.

SOURCE Veterinary Pet Insurance