Tracie Hotchner Blog

You have heard me speak about one of my most astute listeners in Atlanta, Bob, who frequents the dog park with his good pal Smokey. Bob doesn’t let a thing get past him — he checks and double-checks every product and service I align myself with — and I welcome and appreciate his careful eye.

So I was truly delighted that Bob became the FIRST Dog Talk® listener to switch to Petplan insurance from Pets Best, which I had previously recommended. There were changes in the coverage Pets Best was offering and a number of listeners told me they had problems with claims (including myself — when Scooby Doo’s torn ACL ligament was not covered because I had “only” been with the company 10 1/2 months and I had no idea they required an entire YEAR of coverage before knee surgery would be covered). So I have been looking for a company I could wholeheartedly endorse and found Petplan, which is the oldest, and world’s largest (covers 40% of ALL pets in the United Kingdom!) insurer of animals.

I also really admired Petplan for their charitable relationship with the non-profit animal group I am proud to be associated with — the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), to which they give a donation for every policy written. I have declared that for every one of my listeners or readers who signs up for Petplan I will make my own donation to HSUS. I want to support those who stand by HSUS despite misinformation and sometimes misunderstanding of their mission.

Hi Tracie – Heard your show this morning on iPod and immediately looked up Petplan insurance, and switched to it from Pet’s Best. It is a great plan and I really like the idea of the 100% reimbursement option at a reasonable cost. Almost did not do it, since you said Petplan supports the Humane Society of the United States and I am opposed to the HSUS alliance with Michael Vick (Mr. “I feel sorry for me — not the dogs I killed — so I will make a phony apology”) It was really was a big shock to me, but the insurance is worth it, in my opinion.

Ciao – from Bob & Smokey

Thank you, Bob, for your confidence in my advice and opinion where Smokey’s welfare is concerned, and yours as well. I am truly humbled by your willingness to join forces with Petplan, despite the fact that this company supports the work of the HSUS. As you know from listening to my show for years, I am an ardent supporter of the HSUS so the fit for me with this pet insurance company was perfect. In addition, Petplan also has the most inclusive coverage with no breed discrimination and very easy, straightforward claim procedure without a bunch of forms to fill in.

As far as Michael Vick goes, I hope you did listen to the full hour show I did a couple of months ago with HSUS president Wayne Pacelle in which we discussed the Michael Vick case and how HSUS is using him to help stamp out dog fighting in the inner cities. (mp3) As I explained on the air, it makes perfect sense to put Vick to work talking against dog fighting to young men in rough neighborhoods. Who else can reach these at-risk young men than someone who shared their experience — did the crime, did the time, and now is doing community service to spread the word of how wrong dog fighting is, with the backing of the HSUS.

I hope you can separate your justifiable emotional reactions to Vick — what he did was heinous and a court found him guilty and sent him to Leavenworth prison — from the practical issue of whether there is a way to use Vick to make a positive difference in stamping out dog fighting in our cities. (By the way, it was solely the work of the Humane Society of the United States, which prompted the very legislation that allowed Vick to be tried and convicted). The HSUS is not attempting to be judge and jury for Vick’s dog fighting past — that has already been handled — instead, HSUS has devised a way to put a real person up in front of these kids in tough neighborhoods full of pit bulls and explain that what he did was wrong and that dogs need to be our friends and companions, not tools for violence.

On November 21st I do have Wayne Pacelle, the head of HSUS, coming on my new radio show Tracie Hotchner’s DOG TALK & CAT CHAT® on WOR 710 at 10 PM (EST). We are going to be discussing this issue. I hope you will call in to 212-766-7100 if there is anything you want to ask Mr. Pacelle or express to us on the air.

The following week I will have Def Jam founder Russell Simmons — who is a vegan, animal-loving man dedicated to educational issues — coming on the show to discuss his support of using Vick to stop other young men from going down the path he did.

But most of all I want to thank you for your trust in my advice and your swift decision to sign up for Petplan. I did the same thing and requested the reimbursement from my previous pet insurer that by law they have to pay of unused premium.