Mary Smith

How can pet insurance benefit my pet?

January 29, 2010 by Mary Smith Leave a Comment

Pet insurance might not be something the average pet owner thinks about often. This type of insurance is normally affordable – except when your pets are old – and has been around since Claes Virgin, a Swede, created the first insurance policy in the late 19th century.

But pet insurance outside of Europe is patchy because few people know about it. They might be unaware of the cost and benefits. And not everyone knows that dogs and cats are only some of the animals that can get pet insurance; you can get insurance for your amphibian, opossum, bird, tortoise, chameleon, chinchilla, or hedgehog.

Your pet gets the care and attention they need

And they can get it immediately, not when you can finally have the money to pay for the operation or procedure.

Your pet need not be ‘put out’

Instead of getting ‘put out’ your pet can get the treatment they need to continue being the little pest you love so much.

Accidents need not curtail their enjoyment of life

Animals should have the freedom to enjoy life. Fleas, heart conditions, accidents, and cancer could all hamper your pet’s enjoyment.

They can phone home if needs be

Sometimes pets get lost or someone steals them. Pet insurance can help them get home: rewards for recovering the animal, posters and even advertising can help the animal get back to the home it loves.

Author bio:

Bow Wow Insurance wrote this article on Pet Insurance and they offer readers all the information and facts they need to provide their beloved companions with the best care and attention.

Choosing the best pet ID tag for your cat’s collar

January 29, 2010 by Mary Smith Leave a Comment

It is every cat owner’s responsibility to have their pet fitted with an ID (identification) tag, whether it’s an indoor or outdoor cat. Pet tags are available in a host of shapes, sizes, colours, styles and materials, making it possible for you to choose a pet ID tag that best suits your cat. So before heading out and purchasing a pet tag for your cat, consider these tips: [Read more…] about Choosing the best pet ID tag for your cat’s collar

What to do with a stray pet

January 29, 2010 by Mary Smith Leave a Comment

With more and more animals getting stolen, pet identification tags are a necessity. They help to identify a lost animal and hopefully to return the animal to their owner.

But how many people know what to do when they find a lost animal? Many may want to call the police; some would take the animal home; only a few would know to call their local animal shelter.

Different animals need different handling

Cats and dogs are different beasts. And the differences within the species could also present the Good Samaritan with some hair-raising scenarios. Be careful when trying to approach a lost dog. It’s a rare feral cat that will tolerate getting picked up by a human. Domesticated cats and dogs – especially ones with pet tags – are more likely to be friendly.

Do not try to chase the dog; instead, it would be best to call your local animal control.

Sometimes animal control knows better than you do

They’ve rescued more animals than you have so contact them when you see a stray dog wandering around. Makes notes of the animal’s characteristics: sex, breed, size, and colour. Where is the animal and is it moving into a different direction? Some animals may drift into a space that you can lock up until the animal control people arrive.

What now?

Check the animal to see whether there’s a pet tag that has its owner’s information. Phone the number on the identification tag. Animals without pet tags need a different tactic. Take the animal to an animal shelter. Animal shelters have their own rules so find out how long they’ll give the owner to claim the animal. Animal shelters often give owners 3 days to claim their lost pet and will allow you to adopt the pet after this period. Others may insist on putting up ‘found’ notices in the area first.

More tips that can help you and the animal

Try to keep a leash in your car or handbag whenever possible. Previously loved animals, on average, would be much friendlier than wild ones.

Author Bio:

Pet Tags wrote this article on pet tags to create awareness of what to do when confronted with stray animals.

Boiler Scrappage Scheme Goes Live

January 28, 2010 by Mary Smith Leave a Comment

After the boiler scrappage scheme was initially outlined in the pre-budget report, there has been a swell of support from consumers and industry leaders. Essentially, it follows the same formula as the car scrappage scheme that has proved to be so popular in revitalising the market. The government will be issuing vouchers worth £400 to households with a boiler rated as category G or lower. These vouchers go towards the cost of a new, energy-efficient boiler, as detailed under the scrappage scheme. As of today, the scheme goes live and the hope is that the encouraging response from consumers translates into a positive uptake and inefficient boilers all over the country will be replaced with the latest, most energy efficient models.

The main drive of the boiler scrappage scheme is to cut CO2 emissions at a localised, domestic level and as a result, help the UK to meet the our Carbon emission targets. This is an excellent starting point as figures suggest that domestic central heating boilers account for 14% of the UK’s overall CO2 emissions. A new, energy saving boiler has a rated efficiency in excess of 90%. That means that they consume less fuel and the result is a reduction in carbon emissions. The other key benefit for the consumer is financial. The reduced fuel consumption of efficient boilers saves households money in terms of running costs and as such, can be seen as an investment.

In taking advantage of the scrappage scheme and upgrading your G-rated boiler to one which has been awarded an A-rating for efficiency, you can expect to make a saving of around a quarter on your yearly household heating bill. Roughly speaking, the average household that opts to take advantage of the boiler scrappage scheme will save somewhere in the region of £250 a year. Applications have been coming in thick and fast as a result of these savings, both ecological and economic. Applicants will be starting to receive their £400 vouchers as of today.

Unsure if your boiler will qualify? The Energy Saving Trust recommends that homeowners with a gas boiler check to see whether or not it has a permanent pilot light. If you do find that your boiler has a permanent pilot light, it is most likely G-rated. Also, if it’s fifteen years old or older, it’s likely to be eligible for the scrappage scheme and if it’s oil fired and over twenty five years old, you will most likely qualify for a grant too. Financially speaking, the scheme makes perfect sense and no further incentive should be required to encourage you to make the switch. Whereas previously, the expense involved in buying and installing a new, energy efficient boiler proved to be prohibitive; in spite of the doubtless environmental benefits.

Sadly though, the boiler scrappage scheme, which is set to cost the British taxpayer an estimated £50m, will only be of benefit to people living in England. For more information on any aspect of the scheme or advice on the potential implications that it could have on your monthly central heating fuel bill, talk to a specialist at Baxi, trusted industry leaders since 1866.

Author Bio:

This article is written by Baxi highlighting the implementation of the boiler scrappage scheme in England.

Top performing airlines for 2009

January 28, 2010 by Mary Smith Leave a Comment

The South African airline that reported the biggest profit is SAA, which made a hefty R398 million profit for the year ending March 2009.

This is a big upturn from 2008 when the company posted a loss of R1.08 billion in 2008.

2009 was a tumultuous year for many industries, and especially for the local airline industry. There were some good spots and then there were some bad spots.

One of the bad spots was SA Airline, whose airplanes got grounded at the end of 2009 and had to cancel three of their routes. However, one airline’s loss is another airline’s gain – no matter how small – and low-cost airlines such as iTime and Kulula could gain in this instance. South African Express Airways has rebranded to SA Express in an effort to become a bigger player in the South African airline market.

Another airline that posted a profit is 1Time: the company posted a R50.9 million in the financial year ending June 2009. This is a big improvement on their 2008 R6.3 million loss. Comair, which operates British Airways and kulula.com, has posted a R73 million profit for the financial year ending June 2009 and Mango is keeping mum on their results.

South Africa’s 7 domestic airlines are 1Time Airways, SA Express, kulula.com, British Airways, Mango Airlines, Nationwide Air and South African Airways.

Autor Bio:

FlightSite wrote this article on British Airways1Time and Kulula.com to give their readers the most up-to-date information on the travelling industry.