Whether you’ve got a Golden Retriever downtown or a Pug in Tarrytown, you’ve come to the right place.
In this article, we’ll be giving you some of the best insider tips to being an Austin pet parent, and while we’re at it, we’ll go through the ins-and-outs of pet insurance so you can keep your furry companion (and your wallet) covered from any unexpected vet bills.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance companies offer coverage in covering the costs of your vet bills. You pay a premium each month to the pet insurance company, and in return, you can care for your canine or feline fur fam’s wellness without having to worry about how much it will cost.
With Lemonade pet insurance, there are numerous ways to customize your pet insurance policy with our coverage options in the Lone Star State:
To begin with, a base Lemonade pet health insurance policy will assist in covering the costs of medication, tests, and treatments if your cat or dog has an unexpected accident or illness.
A base pet insurance policy is excellent for the unexpected things in your fur fam’s future. Still, Lemonade also offers preventative care pet insurance packages, which are designed to keep your pet healthy and help cover expenses and health care you’re probably paying for anyway. When pet owners add this package to a Lemonade policy, they’ll also get access to a live medical chat option and will get covered for all kinds of things—like annual blood tests, vaccinations, wellness exam, and more. There may be some applicable exclusions.
Lemonade offers a Preventative, Preventative+, and a Puppy/Kitten Preventative package. Depending on your pet’s age, this package covers things like spaying/neutering, vaccinations, microchipping, and flea and tick treatments.
You can also customize your Lemonade policy with a mix and match of optional add-ons like: physical therapy, vet visit fees, dental illness, behavioral conditions, and end-of-life and remembrance—to help take the bite out of pricey treatments, services, and trips to the vet.
Here’s an example of how a Lemonade pet insurance policy works:
- Buy a pet insurance policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Spur, and build your pet’s policy with the help of our friendly AI chatbot. The monthly premium you pay is determined by various factors, primarily things that you can customize, like your annual deductible, co-insurance, coverage package, and the annual limit on your plan. (If you would like, you can take a deeper dive into how pet insurance works to help you create your perfect policy.) Pet insurance coverage with Lemonade can cost as low as $10/month. Here’s a handy breakdown of the whole (simple) process.
- Go to the vet. You rush Spur to the vet after he broke his leg from playing too rough at the dog park. The exam, x-ray, and cast cost you $1,000. Woof. But since you have pet insurance, you don’t have to worry about the total amount. Find out what we cover here.
- Get your money back. Spur is safely on the mend, and you get up to a $900 reimbursement back in your pocket from Lemonade!
It’s worth noting that as your dog ages, they will require more veterinary care, treatments, and routine care, which is why it pays to take out a pet insurance policy for your dog’s wellness as early as possible.
If you try to sign your 13-year-old dog up for insurance for the first time, they might be declined due to their age; either way, they’re more likely to have pre-existing conditions that won’t be covered by pet insurance providers. But if you get your new puppy a Lemonade policy right away, you’ll be able to continue renewing their pet insurance policy as they age.
Apply now to get your free pet insurance quote.
Top Austin dog parks
If your dog loves to run and make new friends, take them to one of Austin’s fantastic dog parks to get rid of some of that excess energy. Just make sure your pup is up-to-date on their vaccinations and are spayed or neutered before you let them off-leash.
- Barkin’ Springs. Does your dog love to swim? Then you’ve got to check out Barkin’ Springs! Located right outside Barton Springs, this area of the springs is a favorite among dog parents. Your four-legged friend can cool off and splash around without a care in the world!
- Onion Creek District Park. This enormous plot of land is 179 acres and is a dream for pups that love to run and play. There are also plenty of shady hiking trails and pathways to take your dog to explore off-leash, as well as small bodies of water for them to splash around.
- Walnut Creek Metropolitan Park. This 293-acre park is full of hiking trails so you and your pooch can go exploring together. Feel free to let your dog off-leash, but beare that there are bike trails, and zipping cyclists may take your pup by surprise.
- Yard Bar. If you and your pup are feeling thirsty, head over to Yard Bar—a dog park and bar all in one! Dogs can run and play while their humans grab a drink and even some food. There’s water available for the dogs, too—it’s a win-win for everyone.
- Auditorium Shores: Located in the heart of Austin, this spacious, well-located off-leash park has a beautiful view of the skyline and Lady Bird Lake. Dogs have plenty of space to run and chase a ball or frisbee—they’ll never get bored here!
Support local Austin animal shelters
- Austin Animal Center. The Austin Animal Center is the municipal animal shelter in Austin. They take in all animals brought to them and work hard to place all adoptable pets into homes. The Austin Animal Shelter works to protect the health and safety of all animals and educate the community about animal welfare and homelessness.
- Austin Pets Alive! Austin Pets Alive’s core mission is to promote the end of homeless animal euthanasia, and to provide programs and resources to the public to save companion animals. They are the largest no-kill shelter in the country, and have collectively saved over 100,000 animal lives. Through their work, Austin has seen a massive reduction in animal euthanasia, with the city now boasting a 97% save-rate!
- Austin Humane Society. Welcome to Austin’s longest-standing no-kill animal shelter! The Humane Society takes in all types of animals, and works tirelessly to rehabilitate them and place them in loving homes. Volunteers can help walk dogs, pet cats, or help the shelter staff clean cages. Community members are welcome to join one of the many fundraising events hosted by the shelter, like Whiskers and Wine and Jo’s Puppy Party!
- Austin Dog Rescue. This unique non-profit places all rescued dogs in foster homes until they find them a permanent home. This reduces the need for a shelter, and the staff work tirelessly to make sure all their rescue pups are happy and well-cared for.
Support Austin-based pet businesses
Support Austin pet-related businesses while keeping your furry friend happy!
- Tomlinson’s. Tomlinson’s is a pet-parent favorite in Austin! This local pet shop owned and operated by the Click family has been selling natural and healthy pet products since 1946. The staff are extremely friendly and knowledgeable and can help you choose the perfect items for your pet.
- Healthy Pet. This local pet shop offers everything you may need for your dog or cat, as well as grooming services and pet supplies delivery. With four locations throughout the city, you won’t be disappointed that you stopped in (and neither will your pet).
- Pet Supermarket. With several locations around the southern US, this one-stop pet shop offers food, toys, supplies and even vet care. This store not only serves dogs and cats, but birds, fish, and reptiles, too. Get everything you need in one place in this fantastic store.
- Paws on Chicon. Staff at this Austin pet shop are trained to help customers create a nutritious diet personalized for their individual pets. They carry a large selection of food for dogs and cats of all ages and breeds. They also have dog-washing stations where you can bring in your dog for a full-on bath!
Before we go…
Austin truly loves their pets. When you adopt a dog or cat, they truly become a family member, and we know you want to provide the best care possible for your fur-baby.
That’s why proper medical care is so important, but sometimes those vet bills can really add up. Therefore, more and more pet parents are opting to purchase a dog insurance plan or cat insurance plan to make sure their pets live long, healthy lives while reducing the costs of those bills. Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.
BTW, we’ve started offering car insurance in Texas! Woohoo! Learn more about our brand-new, earth-loving coverage here.
