Taipei is to offer pet insurance subsidies of up to NT$3,000 (US$93.86) each for at least 200 cats and dogs adopted from the city’s animal shelter this year, the Animal Protection Office said.
Applications would be accepted until Dec. 20 or until the budget is exhausted, with the subsidy limited to one payment per pet, the office said in a statement on Thursday.
To be eligible for the subsidy, the pets need to be neutered, and have rabies vaccinations and valid pet insurance, it added.
Photo courtesy of the New Taipei City Animal Protection and Health Inspection Office
There have been 30 applications so far this year since it sent out text messages notifying eligible owners on Aug. 20, it said, adding that the pets were mainly 4 to 5 years old and their owners were paying an annual insurance premium of between NT$4,000 and NT$5,000.
Pet insurance is important, as they are not covered by regular health insurance and owners face significant medical expenses if their pets fall ill or are injured, the office said.
The insurance covers part of outpatient, hospitalization and surgery costs, as well as expenses for locating lost pets and funeral costs, the office said, adding that owners are encouraged to insure their pets while they are still puppies or kittens.
In addition, pet insurance also covers the cost of pet hotel stays if the owner is hospitalized and compensation if the pet causes injury, death or property damage to a third party, the office said.
Four insurance companies in Taiwan offer pet insurance with varying coverage, it said.
Owners can apply for the subsidy by filling out an online application, mailing the application to the office, or visiting the animal shelter in Neihu District (內湖) and filling out the application there, the office added.
Taipei’s Animal Protection Office used vouchers to encourage the purchase of pet insurance in 2011 and expanded them to include adopted pets in 2019.
It started using cash subsidies this year, as feedback suggested cash rewards to subsidize insurance premiums would be more popular.
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