It has now emerged that wealthy Kenyans are splashing thousands of shillings per year to insure their pets, especially against diseases.
This has prompted a number of insurance companies operating in Kenya to design covers for dogs, cats, pigeons, parrots, rabbits, guinea pigs among other animals used as pets.
Dr Samuel Opiyo, a veterinarian at Pet Center clinic in Nairobi’s Muthaiga area says uptake of pet insurance has grown over the past few years.
“I have about two clients who have insurance and they seem to prefer paying for the services and claiming the money from the insurer,” he says.
“There is a woman who has a chicken pet and she spent Sh20,000 to treat it,” the vet says.
Some rich Kenyans are coughing as much as $2,500 (Sh250,000) per year to insure their pets. Just like medical insurance, the pet cover ensures the owner doesn’t pay out-of-pocket for healthcare, especially if the pets develops long-term illnesses such as arthritis.
Jackie Tonui, the head of corporate communications at Apollo Group said pet insurance uptake is still low, but is projected to upsurge in the near future as the pet economy grows.
“We cover accidental death caused by lightning, internal and external injuries, windstorm, snake bite, electrocution or flooding, illness or disease, widespread outbreak of an infectious disease affecting many animals at the same time in a region like epidemics,” Ms Tonui told a local business daily.
Among the pets, dogs insurance is the most popular due to the value attached to dogs.
“Cats are rescued most of the time while dogs are mostly bought. There are some cats like the Sphynx breed which can cost up to Sh300,000 but not many people look into the breed of cats like they do for dogs,” Dr Opiyo says.
Man is indeed a complex…
Man is indeed a complex creature.Some treat dogs and cats as delicacies,while others treat them as family members.I wonder if it was amistake to domesticate these animals.I also change to say that the original intent in domesticating was for practical usage.Dogs for hunting,and protection,and cats for chasing panya. But having abird as apet is just displaced human love.Im not saying,its wrong,but to each his own.Idont think achicken would understand the love being showered on it…especially while its “relatives” are fried.
Yes man is indeed acomplex creature. some have snakes as pets,while others treat other human beings as pets.
Where are our social scientist to put seemingly these incomprehensible acting in perspective?
It’s simple: Most Pet lovers…
It’s simple: Most Pet lovers have Mental problems; some to the level of Bestiality. Sad.
Watu kama hawa ndio…
Watu kama hawa ndio niliowaita “Wakenyareza.” Tangu lini Mwafrika kumchukulia bima mnyama aliyemfuga?
“MKENYAREZA,” ni mtu ambaye asili yake ni Mkenya lakini mila yake yote ni ya “Mwingereza.”
Mtanzareza – Asili yake Tanzania, lakini mila na kila kitu anachofanya kinaambatana na mila za Waingereza.
Wengine wanaofuatwa mila za Waingereza ni Waghanareza, Wanaijerireza, Wagandareza, Wazambireza, Wazimbabwereza, na kadhalika.
Waliotawaliwa na “Wafaransa,” chukua sehemu “Ransa” na kuibandika mwisho wa nchi. Kwa mfano, “Wasenegaliransa,” Wamoroccaransa,” Waalgeriransa,” na kadhalika.
Waliotawaliwa na “Wareno,” chukua sehemu ya mwisho, “Reno” na kuibandika mwisho wa nchi. Angola itakuwa, “Angolareno.” Msumbiji itakuwa “Msumbijireno.”
Waliotawaliwa na “Wabeljiji,” chukua sehemu ya mwisho, “Jiji,” na kuibandika mwisho wa nchi. Congo itakuwa ” Congojiji” Rwanda, “Rwandajiji.”
Kuna Congo mbili ya Wafaransa ni “Congoransa” na ya Wabeljiji, Congojiji.”
Bara la Afrika lina matatizo mengi sana ya kubuni kwa sababu inatawaliwa na “Wanayuropa” ambao wana damu na rangi ya Kiafrika tu! Lakini mambo yao yote ni ya “YUROPA. Hawa wataitwa “Wafriropa.
Hivi majuzi nimekutana na akina dada kutoka Bara la Afrika ambao wanavalia nywele bandia “wig” za aina ya Yuropa, na huku wametumia madawa ya kubadilisha ngozi yao ili ionekane kama ya watu wa asili ya Yuropa. Mtu kama huyu huwezi kumwita Mwafrika. Jina linalomfaa kwa jumla ni aitwe “MWAFRIROPA.” Ndani ya Wafriropa kuna Wakenyareza, Waangolareno, Wacongojiji, Wacongoransa, na kadhalika.
Je, tutawaitaje wachache waliotawaliwa na Wadachi, Wataliani, Waspania, na Waarabu?
Who cares!
They are all…
Who cares!
They are all eating poisoned rice and drinking mercury laden,lead infused sugar.
Purchasing Contraband goods.
If they live in Nairobi, the can’t account for 60% of their feaceal matter.
Tell them to find out where 40% sewage.then we can talk about whether this insuring of chickens is progress or a sign of massive emotional trauma.
A chicken pet is a sign of emotional trauma.just fyi!
We have become copy cats all…
We have become copy cats all the way. Afrikans do not keep animals as pets. Our animals were always for protection. We have so many animals in Afrika that we do not need to domesticate them. This is a foreign culture. Let Afrikans hold on to their cultures of allowing animals their freedom of movement and freedom to eat what they (animals) choose to eat wildly. We have children who need help before the animals. Let us take care of our human resources first. God help Kenya!!
@Anonymous UI, Kweli kabisa…
@Anonymous UI, Kweli kabisa. Africans keep dogs for security reason. To keep the chicken thieves away. Cats are for keeping mice & rats away from homes. African do not keep pets. Pets is copying and pasting from njungus