J Sainsbury : Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance launches interactive tool to help dog and cat owners avoid pet regrets

Despite being a nation of animal lovers, new research from Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance found that more than a fifth (22%) of pet owners have regretted choosing their pet's breed. Reasons for regret included that they didn't have enough time to look after the animal (31%), they turned out to be allergic to the pet (18%) and because they didn't like their pet's personality (16%).(1)

The study(1) also reveals that more than half of cat and dog owners don't research their pet's breed before ownership and only 18% spent more than a week researching the right breed for their lifestyle.(1) More than a fifth (22%) of pet owners have rehomed an animal and dog owners are more likely to regret their pup (26%) compared to cat owners (16%).(1)

These stark statistics echo latest RSPCA figures as the charity rehomes over 40,000 pets in a year.(2)

Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance has launched the Pawfect Match Tool www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/petmatch to enable future pet owners to make informed decisions when choosing the most suitable breed for them. The tool enables dog and cat owners to research various breeds including how much exercise they will need, how excitable the animal is and how well they get on with children.

TV vet, Dr Scott Miller commented: 'I am saddened to hear that so many pet owners are regretting the animals they have chosen as companions. Dogs and cats come in all shapes and sizes, and have different temperaments. Looking after a pet is a huge commitment so it is important that people undertake adequate research before buying a pet to ensure it is a happy experience for you and the animal.

'If a pet owner is struggling to look after their animal, I urge them to speak to a professional for advice. The Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance website also includes top tips for each dog and cat breed on how best to care for these incredible creatures.'

The study found half of people (50%) decided to get a pet for companionship and 38% because a pet can offer unconditional love.(1) Some pet owners admitted getting a pet breed because it had either appeared in a film or a celebrity owns them (5%).(1)

Jason King, Customer Director at Sainsbury's Bank said: 'Britain is a nation of animal lovers and pets are part of the family. We understand how important it is to undertake research before adopting or purchasing a pet, including what type of pet insurance is best suited to your dog or cat's needs. Sainsbury's Bank pet insurance (6) now offers lifeline cover for cats and dogs so that their owners can have peace of mind should anything happen to their four legged friends.'

Visit the Sainsbury's Bank Pawfect Match tool www.sainsburysbank.co.uk/petmatch to understand more about pet breeds and how to care for your pet.

Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance offers flexible insurance offers to cover your pet at home and abroad.

We'll double Nectar points on your Sainsbury's shopping and fuel,(3) plus an extra discount on your insurance just for being a Nectar member.(4)
It also offers:
• Online portal to manage your pet insurance policy
• 24/7 helpline for professional veterinary advice with Vet Assistance
• £1 per-pet, per-month discount on multi-pet policies(5)
For further information, please contact:
Sainsbury's Bank press office 0131 286 0010 / [e-mail]

Notes to editor:
This press release is information for journalists only and is not intended to be a promotion to be acted upon by consumers.
(1) Sainsbury's Bank commissioned Opinium to survey 1,897 pet owners from 20 December - 30 December 2019.
(2) RSPCA latest rehoming data 2018.
(3) Double Nectar points.
Only available to customers buying a new Sainsbury's Bank Pet Insurance policy.
You need to tell us your Nectar card number when you apply; and scan or swipe that card, or input your card number, with each Sainsbury's purchase.
Double points begin on your policy's cover start date. If you don't tell us your Nectar card number until after your cover start date, double points will begin on the date you tell us.
Double points stop when the policy is cancelled or you stop paying premiums. Each Nectar account can only collect points from one pet insurance policy.
It's only the base points you collect at Sainsbury's that are doubled. Bonus points won't be doubled, nor will any points from Argos, Habitat, Sainsbury's Bank (including travel money purchases), Sainsbury's Energy or any other Sainsbury's service.
By the 10th of each month, you'll get a bonus point award equal to the total of your qualifying points during the previous month, up to a maximum of 20,000 points.
Sainsbury's Supermarkets Ltd award the points from this offer. No cash alternative is available.
We reserve the right to change or cancel this offer without notice.
(4) The discount is based on information related to you and the Sainsbury's and Sainsbury's Bank transactions linked to your Nectar account. For more information on how we use your data, go to sainsburysbank.co.uk/privacy
(5) Multi-pet discount is a minimum of £24 when insuring more than one pet as this is worked out at £1 per pet per month for each pet on a policy. Pets can have different cover levels. Discount deducted separately from any other offer.
(6) Sainsbury's Bank pet insurance is provided by Pinnacle Insurance plc

About Sainsbury's Bank:
To view our latest press releases and product information, please visit the Sainsbury's Bank online media centre at https://www.about.sainsburys.co.uk/news

Sainsbury's was the first major supermarket to open a bank in the UK in February 1997. Our range of financial products includes, credit cards, savings and loans, as well as travel money, and car, home, pet, travel and life insurance which we provide online and by telephone. We offer Sainsbury's shoppers great deals and rewards for choosing to shop and bank with us.

We have travel money bureaux at various Sainsbury's supermarkets across the UK and a large ATM estate.

Sainsbury's Bank plc. Registered Office, 33 Holborn, London EC1N 2HT (registered in England and Wales, no 3279730) is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority (register no. 184514). Sainsbury's Bank plc is covered by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS).

Sainsbury's Bank Travel Insurance is sold and administered by Hood Travel Limited, registered at Companies House 08318836. Hood Travel is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority under registration number 597211. Hood Travel Limited's registered address is at 1st Floor Maitland House, Warrior Square, Southend-on-Sea, Essex, SS1 2JY. Hood Travel is an insurance intermediary providing a non-advised service. We act for and on behalf of the insurer.

About BNP Paribas Cardif
Cardif Pinnacle is the UK insurance business within BNP Paribas Cardif which serves 100 million customers in 35 countries around the world. The company is part of the global banking group, BNP Paribas, a European leader with a significant international reach. As the insurance subsidiary of BNP Paribas, BNP Paribas Cardif is the world leader in bancassurance partnerships and creditor insurance . Within the UK, Cardif Pinnacle develops products and services for the Pet and Protection Insurance markets. Cardif Pinnacle's subsidiary BNP Paribas Cardif Ltd provides Motor Protection services.