Animal Friends Insurance has launched a new campaign to encourage people to step out into nature with their pets.
Alongside the #TheGreatOutpaws campaign, the company has also donated £20,000 to the Alabama Rot Research Fund to help the fight against the deadly disease.
Alabama rot is a disease that affects dogs and can damage blood vessels in the skin and kidney, as well as cause ulcers on the dog’s skin. Dogs with the disease can also develop kidney failure, which can be fatal. The cause is still unknown, but the majority of dogs that are treated have been walked in muddy, woodland areas.
David Walker, of Anderson Moores Veterinary Specialists near Winchester, who is the UK’s leading expert on Alabama rot, welcomed the Animal Friends team to his surgery earlier this year to talk about the condition.
He said: “While it is understandable that dog owners will be worried by this increase in confirmed cases, Alabama rot is still a very rare disease and we’d encourage owners to continue to exercise their pet.”
To date Animal Friends Insurance has donated over £3.5 million to animal charities.
Managing Director of Animal Friends Insurance, Mr Westley Pearson, said: “Animal Friends Pet Insurance is extremely pleased to be able to donate such a worthwhile cause. We know that Alabama rot s a worry for many dog owners and we are committed to helping pets and their owners to get into nature through our new campaign. “
