Lassie Helps Pets Best Present Insurance Policies to 2 Newly Adopted Pets

Pet insurance agency sponsors FIDO Friendly’s nationally recognized pet adoption tour  In recognition of Pet Health Insurance Month in September, Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC, a leading pet insurance agency, recently had help from television legend Lassie while presenting Pets Best pet insurance policies to two newly adopted pets during the Get Your Licks on Route 66 pet adoption tour. Dr. Jack Stephens, founder of Pets Best, has a long-running history with Lassie, as he presented the iconic canine with the first pet insurance policy issued in the United States 32 years ago. Lassie and Dr. Stephens made an appearance during a Sept. 14 adoption event at the Best Friends Pet Adoption & Spay/Neuter Center in Mission Hills, California, the third stop on the Get Your Licks on Route 66 pet adoption tour. As a reward for supporting the adoption event, the first two families who adopted a pet that day were given one-year pet insurance policies. The Pets Best BestBenefit accident and illness policies were purchased and donated by FIDO Friendly. The first pet insurance recipient was an 8-year-old mixed breed dog named Chopo, who, after spending a year at the shelter, happily went home with his new family. The second recipient was a black domestic shorthair kitten who is still unnamed but now has a place to call home. “Pets Best is dedicated to improving the lives of pets across the nation by helping their owners afford the high costs associated with increasingly complex veterinary treatments,” Dr. Stephens said. “As a pet-focused organization, we take pride in supporting events that play a valuable role in promoting pet adoption.” In an effort to raise awareness about shelters and pet adoption opportunities across the country, Pets Best has joined the Get Your Licks on Route 66 pet adoption tour as the official pet insurance sponsor. The annual tour is put on by FIDO Friendly, a pet-focused travel and lifestyle publication. The tour kicked off on Sept. 12 in Riverside, California, and it ends in Kansas City on Oct. 19. The sixth annual Get Your Licks on Route 66 tour will make its way across the country, stopping in 16 cities to bring awareness to pet adoption. Each event will take place at a local pet adoption site, and the public is invited to join the festivities. Pets available for adoption will be featured at each event for the public to meet and interact with. Greg Sims, president and chief operating officer of FIDO Friendly, and Susan Sims, publisher of the quarterly magazine, developed the idea for the annual tour six years ago. “It occurred to me that while we traveled with our dogs to review hotels and destinations, there might be something we could do while we were going from city to city on behalf of homeless pets,” Susan Sims said, adding that the couple has two adopted shelter dogs, a Labrador retriever named Junior and a boxer named Jake. “I often thought shelters endured a stigma of housing ‘throw-away dogs’ and that if you wanted a purebred dog, you would need to connect with a breeder. Both of our dogs serve as examples that the stigma associated with shelters is far from true.” Actress, best-selling author and animal lover Danica McKellar serves as the event’s official spokesperson this year. McKellar, best known for her role as Winnie Cooper on “The Wonder Years” was recently seen competing on “Dancing with the Stars.” McKellar made a special appearance at the Los Angeles Animal Services East Valley Shelter on Sept. 13 in Van Nuys, California. Brandon McMillan, host of the popular CBS show “Lucky Dog,” was also in attendance at the Sept. 13 event. McMillan and his crew filmed a segment that day at the shelter for an upcoming episode of “Lucky Dog.” In the past five years, the tour has helped more than 2,000 pets find their forever homes. To learn more about the tour dates, visit www.getyourlicksonroute66.com. People who visit this website and make a donation of $10 or more to the tour will receive a free one-year digital subscription to FIDO Friendly and a “Leave No Dog Behind®” bumper sticker. “With the help of our sponsors, we will continue this life-saving tour every year to help shed light on the plight of homeless pets,” Susan Sims said. About Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC Dr. Jack L. Stephens, founder and director of Pets Best, founded pet insurance in the U.S. in 1981 with a mission to end euthanasia when pet owners couldn’t afford veterinary treatment. Dr. Stephens went on to present the first U.S. pet insurance policy to famous television dog Lassie. Pets Best provides coverage for dogs and cats. Dr. Stephens leads the Pets Best team with his passion for quality pet care and his expert veterinary knowledge. He is always available to answer questions regarding veterinary medicine, pet health and pet insurance. The Pets Best team is a group of pet lovers who strive to deliver quality customer service and value. Visit www.petsbest.com for more information. Pet insurance coverage offered and administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC is underwritten by Independence American Insurance Company, a Delaware insurance company. Independence American Insurance Company is a member of The IHC Group, an organization of insurance carriers and marketing and administrative affiliates that has been providing life, health, disability, medical stop-loss and specialty insurance solutions to groups and individuals for over 30 years. For information on The IHC Group, visit: www.ihcgroup.com. Additional insurance services administered by Pets Best Insurance Services, LLC are underwritten by Prime Insurance Company. Some existing business is underwritten by Aetna Insurance Company of Connecticut. Each insurer has sole financial responsibility for its own products. Pets Best is a proud member of the North America Pet Health Insurance Association (NAPHIA). About FIDO Friendly National quarterly dog magazine, FIDO Friendly is the Travel & Lifestyle magazine for you and your dog. Now in its 14th year, each issue includes hotel and destination reviews, adoption stories, health and wellness topics and the latest trends. FIDO Friendly is the only magazine dedicated to the travel and lifestyle for you and your best friend and the one magazine, your dog will thank you for! Leave No Dog Behind.® ###