Released on: July 14, 2010, 3:56 am
Author:
M&S Money
Industry: Financial
Vetfone, an animal advice helpline available to M&S Pet Insurance customers, is preparing for its busiest times of the year and getting ready to deal with calls from dog owners whose pets have been injured or become ill because of summertime hazards.
In previous year’s Vetfone's qualified veterinary nurses, who provide concerned animal lovers with immediate advice on a pet’s condition, have reported a large increase in the number of calls from policyholders whose dogs have succumbed to various summer related hazards. The service provided by the advice line is especially important and has often proved invaluable for M&S Pet Insurance customers, with around 70% of calls being made outside of normal veterinary hours.
The summer months can prove to be especially dangerous to pets for a number of reasons, as the barbeque season really gets underway and the sunny encourages owners to get outside and play with their dogs more frequently, not to mention the risks of pets ingesting new seasonal objects they shouldn't, such as poisonous berries or fallen nuts.
Vetfone deputy operations manager, Clare Scantlebury, said: "It’s lovely for pets and their owners to enjoy being out and about during the summer, but they need to be aware of hidden dangers, which although rare, do cause real problems."
About M&S Money:
M&S Money (the trading name of Marks & Spencer Financial Services) was founded in
1985 as the financial services division of Marks and Spencer Group plc, making 2010
the company's 25th anniversary.
The company is a top-ten personal credit card provider and the second-largest travel money retailer in the UK. M&S Money also offers a range of insurance cover, including home owners insurance and car insurance cover, as well as loans, savings and investment products.
In November 2004, Marks & Spencer sold M&S Money to HSBC. HSBC Holdings plc, the parent company of the HSBC Group, is headquartered in London. The Group serves customers worldwide from around 8,000 offices in 88 countries and territories in Europe, the Asia-Pacific region, the Americas, the Middle East and Africa. With assets of US$2,364 billion at 31 December 2009, HSBC is one of the world’s largest banking and financial services organisations. HSBC is marketed worldwide as ‘the world’s local bank’.
M&S Pet Insurance policies are provided by RSA Insurance Group plc.
For more information:
Simon Coughlin
Media Relations Manager
M&S Money
8 Canada Square
Canary Wharf
London
E14 5HQ
020 7992 1574
money.marksandspencer.com