BREA, Calif., Nov. 11, 2003 (PRIMEZONE) -- Most people like to think of their pets as members of the family, and they demonstrate it by giving them human names. Pet owners don't usually get too creative, according to new research released today by Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI).
After conducting a thorough review of its policyholder records, VPI, the country's oldest and largest health insurance plan for pets, found that the most common pet name is Max. It ranks number one for male dogs, cats and birds.
"Unlike human children's names, which can become popular choices based on famous actors or athletes at the time, pet names appear to be fairly consistent," explains Aine McCarthy, director of Veterinary Services at VPI. "Of course, having a common name doesn't keep your pets from being very special to us."
Following are the top 10 pet names of 2003, based on VPI's 360,000 policyholders:
1. Max 6. Jake
2. Bailey 7. Lucy
3. Buddy 8. Daisy
4. Molly 9. Rocky
5. Maggie 10. Sadie
Other common names among VPI client's pets are Buddy, which appears in the top 10 list for male dogs, cats, birds and reptiles, and Lucy, which is the most popular female exotic (rabbits, guinea pigs, etc.) name and appears in the top 10 list of female dogs, cats, birds and reptiles.
VPI recently launched a Web site of more than 10,000 pet names based on the company's policyholder data. Pet lovers can search the site, www.petinsurance.com/petnames, to find their favorite pet name and enter to win one of 11 gift certificates to PETsMART.
About Veterinary Pet Insurance
Veterinary Pet Insurance is the nation's oldest and largest health insurance plan for pets. The company was founded in 1980 to help end economic euthanasia and is committed to making the miracles of veterinary medicine affordable for all pet owners. Policies cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for medical problems and conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional vaccination and routine care coverage is also available.
Policies are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated company, in Madison, Wisconsin and a subsidiary of Nationwide Mutual Insurance Company. For more information about VPI policies, call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit www.petinsurance.com.
VPI's parent company, Veterinary Pet Services, Inc., is an SEC-reporting company whose stock is not publicly traded.
The Veterinary Pet Insurance logo is available at: http://media.primezone.com/prs/single/?pkgid=708