Georgia pet parents: Whether you’ve got an Akita in Atlanta, or a Saluki in Savannah, you’ve come to the right place. We’ll take you through the hidden gems and insider tips of being a Georgia 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.
What is pet insurance?
Pet insurance assists in covering the costs of your vet bills. You pay a premium each month to the insurance company, and in return, you can care for your canine or feline fur family members without having to worry about how much it will cost.
With Lemonade pet insurance, there are numerous ways to customize your policy with our coverage options:
To begin with, a base Lemonade pet health insurance policy will assist in covering the costs of medication, exam fees , and treatments if your cat or dog has an unexpected accident or illness.
A base policy is excellent for the unexpected things in your fur family’s future. Still, Lemonade also offers preventative care packages, which are designed to keep your pet healthy and help cover health care expenses you’re probably paying for anyway. By adding this package to a Lemonade policy, you’ll also get access to a live medical chat option and will get covered for all kinds of things—like your 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 policy. You answer a few quick questions about your German Shepherd, Peaches, and build your pet’s policy with the help of our friendly AI chatbot on our mobile app. 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 Peaches to your licensed veterinarian after he suffered a broken bone 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. Peaches 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 and treatments, which is why it pays to take out a pet insurance policy for your dog 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 insurance. But if you get your new puppy a Lemonade policy right away, you’ll be able to continue renewing their policy as they age.
Apply now to get your free pet insurance quote.
Protect your pet from Georgia threats
Snapping turtles, hurricanes, and alligators oh my! If you’re a Georgia pet parent, here are a few local dangers to be aware of so you can avoid an emergency trip to the vet and move around the state with peace of mind.
Snapping Turtles
When people think of turtles, they usually don’t immediately associate them with danger. And yet, the snapping turtle is one of the most dangerous animals in Georgia. These ancient reptiles like to live in shallow ponds, lakes, and streams all throughout the Georgia area. They can weigh up to 45 pounds, and can grow to as much as 20 inches in length. They have strong large claws on their webbed feet, and sharp, beak-like mouths.
In water, snapping turtles are very unlikely to attack. When they encounter a threat, they simply swim away. On land however, these turtles can be aggressive and even vicious. Their jaws are so strong that it has been said that they can bite a person’s finger off, and they are faster than one might think, even on land. Their long necks give them a long range of motion and they can whip their heads back and forth quickly and accurately.
The best thing to do to avoid being attacked by a snapping turtle if you encounter one is to just leave them alone. Keep your dog leashed while hiking, especially near water. In addition, it’s a good idea to perfect your dog’s recall skills so that you can call them back should they encounter a snapping turtle while unleashed. A fight with a snapping turtle is not one your pup is going to win.
Hurricanes and Tropical Storms
The difference between hurricanes and tropical storms is kind of like the difference between horses and ponies- they’re the same animal, one is just bigger than the other. Unlike horses and ponies, however, these storms can do a lot of damage. Tropical storms bring with them high winds of up to 74 MPH and huge storm surges. Hurricanes can bring even stronger winds – for instance, the 2018 Hurricane Michael brought with it 115 MPH winds- and even higher storm surges.
If you live along the Georgia coast, you likely know that tropical storms and hurricanes can be a threat, and can be quite scary. However, there are things you can do to keep yourself, your family and your furry family members safe. Firstly, keep an eye on the weather and listen to your local authorities. Be prepared to evacuate if necessary- pack a go bag for yourself and your pets, gas up the car, and charge your phones, flashlights or anything else that you may need in an emergency. If you are informed that you are in an evacuation zone, do not hesitate, and go.
If you’re sheltering in place, shore up your house before the storm arrives. Put all deck furniture inside. Secure glass windows and doors, and close the shutters and curtains. Anchor your garage door to the ground, and use hurricane straps to prevent your roof from blowing away, if you can. If you know how, you can also try and install a flood barrier around your house.
During a hurricane turn off the electricity to your house, and retreat to an interior room without windows. Section out a clean place where your pets can go to relieve themselves. Never let your pet outside during a storm. If your home starts to flood, move to a higher floor. Most importantly though, stay calm. If you are calm, your pets will remain calm, and you will all have an easier time getting through the storm.
Alligators
The American Alligator lives all across the southeastern United States. They live in freshwater rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes. These prehistoric creatures will eat pretty much anything they can catch—from turtles and birds, and yes, even pets. Though they look ungainly on land, the American alligator can actually outrun any human for at least thirty feet. Do not try to outrun them.
The good thing is that alligators are mostly wary of humans, and will more likely slip into the water and swim away than attack. Still, it is a good idea to keep yourself, and your pet well away from any alligator you encounter. Keep your dog on a leash and away from the banks of any lakes or streams that may have alligators in them. If you do spot an alligator, do not let your dog harass them. Do not fish near alligators, especially if they seem to have an interest in you. If they eat your bait, just cut your line and move away. Finally, you and your dog should swim in designated areas only. Don’t take a chance on an alligator.
Looking to adopt a pet? Here’s where Georgians go!
| City | Most popular animal shelters |
|---|---|
| Athens | Athens Area Humane Society |
| Atlanta | Atlanta Humane Society |
| Augusta | City of Augusta Animal Services |
| Columbus | Columbus Humane |
| Johns Creek | Furkids Animal Rescue & Shelters |
| Macon | Macon Bibb County Animal Welfare |
| Roswell | Roswell Humane Society |
| Sandy Springs | Good Mews Animal Foundation |
| Savannah | Humane Society for Greater Savannah |
| South Fulton | Fulton County Animal Services |
Top Georgia dog parks
Energetic pup? Let them run wild in one of Georgia’s many off-leash dog parks. Just make sure your doggy family member is up-to-date on their vaccinations and spayed or neutered before you let them cut loose.
- Piedmont Dog Park. Located in one of the hippest neighborhoods in Atlanta, this 3-acre dog park has separate sections for small dogs and large dogs. It also features shaded benches for pet parents to hang out on, in addition to restrooms, drinking water for dogs and humans, and even a dog popsicle stand on the weekends.
- Newton Dream Dog Park. This John’s Creek dog park has been rated one of the best dog parks in the country. It has artificial turf, so your pups don’t get muddy, sprinklers to run through, and obstacles to play on. For pet parents, it offers benches, shade, water, and complimentary dog poop bags. The park also features a leashed walking trail for you to enjoy a hike with your pup.
- Park Grounds. This charming Atlanta coffee shop serves as both a cafe and a dog park. It offers an extensive menu of delicious food and drinks for you to enjoy while you sit on one of the picnic tables in the fenced-in area, where your dog can run around and socialize with other pets.
- DogWoods at Colemen Camp Park. Located in Dallas, Georgia, this dog park features lots of room for your pups to run around. It also offers water features, and separate areas for small dogs and big dogs. It’s got plenty of trees for shade, and a nice little pavilion where pet owners can sit and relax.
- Macon Dog Park. This well-maintained dog park is located near downtown Macon. It features a dog agility course, and a lovely little creek with bridges to make it easier for humans to cross (the dogs often just wade on through). It also has plenty of trees for shade. Pet owners will be pleased that it is easily accessible from I-75, and has plenty of parking.
Support Georgia-based pet businesses
Support small Georgia businesses while keeping your best friend totally pampered!
- Highland Pet Supply.This Atlanta-based store has two locations. One is a retail store known for its unique products and knowledgeable staff, and the other is a training center. This independent pet store also sells online gift cards that can be sent as gifts to your local Georgia friends.
- Noah’s Ark Pet & Grooming. Located in Macon, this family-owned pet shop is a local treasure. It stocks anything your pet could need: from the best quality food, to aquariums, and they also offer grooming services for almost every type of pet—from cats and dogs, to gerbils and rabbits.
- 2nd Home Pet Resort. Based in Columbus, this doggie daycare/boarding/grooming center is affiliated with a veterinarian’s office, so that you can rest assured that your furry family members are well taken care of while you are away. Though they offer boarding for all dogs, they specialize in large dogs. Whatever size your dog, though, the staff will definitely make sure that your pup feels at home.
- Reigning Reptiles. This Buford store is for people who like all things reptile, amphibious, and eight-legged. It is the place to go for snakes, bearded dragons, toads, and even tarantulas. They also stock gear and supplies such as tanks, lighting, and food.
- The Bird Store. As its name suggests, this Macon store specializes in birds: from bird seed to bird boxes, to squirrel-proof netting—it has it all. They are locally-owned and operated, and are an institution for central Georgia bird-lovers. In addition to their in-house retail store, they also offer free shipping to many Georgia locations.
Before we go…
Isn’t being a pet parent just the best? The companionship, the kisses, the laughter! Pets really add so much to our lives. We love our pets, but sometimes those vet bills can take a real bite out of our wallets, which is why more and more pet parents are choosing to get covered with pet insurance.
Learn more about how much pet insurance costs, and whether or not pet insurance is worth it for you.
