Caring for Your Pets

HOLISTIC PET CARE

Longevity Veterinary Center is New Jersey’s largest and most advanced integrative veterinary center. Our team of highly trained professionals is committed to helping pets achieve optimal health through a combination of conventional and alternative therapies. We believe in treating the root cause of an issue and finding the best treatment possible, drawing from both conventional and holistic medicine.

265 ROUTE 10 EAST, WHIPPANY | 973-606-1101 LVCNJ.COM

PET CARE & HOTEL her office, but often are not covered for exams or routine visits. Schwartz notes spaying and neutering are often not covered. Most insurance companies will pay for issues related to a birth defect but won’t cover a preexisting condition. That’s why it’s important to buy insurance before any issues are noted by the vet.

Whether it’s training, grooming, daycare, boarding, swimming, or the lure course your pet will feel right at home in our secure, natural setting. With two state-of-the-art locations in Millstone and Oakhurst, and a staff of professional dog lovers, Green Leaf Pet Resort keeps tails wagging with the perfect combination of luxury and love!

In theory, you should get insurance for things you can’t afford, such as an unexpected illness, an accident like getting hit by a car or needing surgery because your pet swallowed something, Schwartz says. If you can afford $200 per year for checkups and vaccines, let’s say, she says insurance doesn’t have to be a priority; versus spending $500 for bloodwork because a cat is in kidney failure or $2,000 on a surgery to remove a squeaker toy.

“You need insurance for the unexpected,” she says. “It’s like health insurance or life insurance—you hope you never need to use it, you hope it’s a waste of money, but if you ever need it it’s good to know it’s there.” She likened it to the difference between spending, for example, $30 a month on health insurance or paying off a $2,000 credit card bill. “It’s never wrong to have your insurance as a backup plan,” she says.

If you buy a policy, it’s important to purchase it as early on as possible so the rates are low and health issues are not declined, Schwartz says. The bottom line: If you get insurance later in a pet’s life, the insurance company is more likely to classify most issues as preexisting and not cover them. “Decide when they’re younger if you’re going to get it. The premium is more expensive when they’re older because they are more likely to get sick or they are more prone to accidents,” she says.

Marlboro resident Randi Colatrella welcomed her purebred English bulldog, Tank, four years ago. Encouraged by her mother and sister who had pet insurance, Colatrella purchased a plan before she brought Tank home. She chose both a wellness plan and an injury/illness plan through Nationwide. “I wanted to make sure that we had insurance right from the start,” she says.

Colatrella says this was a great idea, in retrospect, because Tank has had numerous ear, eye and tail infections (prior to his tail removal), infections on his feet, allergies and was hospitalized for pneumonia. Colatrella jokes she could have bought a dream vacation home with the amount of money spent on her beloved pup.

She says the ophthalmologist was covered, but not the medication. Tail removal surgery was not covered because it was considered a birth defect. Tank’s hospital stay for pneumonia was also not covered. She has to meet a deductible and there is a cap on certain treatments, which factor in as well. But in her case, she says she “absolutely” saved money by having insurance.

Most pet owners will have a deductible to meet, depending on the company they choose. Schwartz says most veterinary offices have pet parents pay upfront, and then submit the receipt to their insurance company for reimbursement. She says in rare cases the insurance company will pay the vet directly. Colatrella says her insurance typically pays within a few days of her submitting a claim.

If you can’t afford pet insurance and are wary of medical bills, organizations like St. Hubert’s Animal Welfare Center in Madison are willing to help.

“Veterinary care is expensive, and access is very limited in underserved communities,” says Sarah Sangree, director of Community Engagement for St. Hubert’s. “As part of our commitment to keeping pets with the families that love them, St. Hubert’s is able to assist with medical issues ranging from ear infections, emergency spays and blockages, to mass removals, intensive wound care and emergency dentals.”

In the last six months, St. Hubert’s Community Programs team has noticed a sharp increase in calls from New Jersey families in need of help with medical bills, vet visits, spay and neuter and emergency boarding, Sangree says.

Jersey City resident Kip Smith had a scare when his American pit bull terrier Benji, who will be 7 in July, ingested a corn cob this spring. “We noticed that he was vomiting and had a loss of appetite. After taking him to a vet, we found out that he had a blockage that required urgent medical attention.”

At the time, Smith did not have pet insurance – but he said he would definitely consider it now. “While it is unclear whether pet insurance would have saved us money in this particular incident, we recognize the value of having coverage and wish to avoid any future scares.”

Smith called St. Hubert’s, which “not only assisted us with providing valuable information and resources, but they also went above and beyond by covering the cost of Benji’s surgery,” he says. They helped find an urgent care facility that could treat Benji’s blockage, and they also advocated for financial assistance. “We are truly grateful for St. Hubert’s and their amazing team,” Smith says.

Pet owners who need help can visit sthuberts.org/pet-medicalsupport to learn more about the services they offer.

July 1 / Aug. 5 / Sep. 2

Climb aboard Battleship New Jersey in Camden and learn about nearly 100 years of naval history along the Delaware River. You’ll get a history lesson through guided experiences aboard three ships, The Battleship New Jersey, Submarine Becuna and Cruiser Olympia. battleshipnewjersey.org

Saturdays, June 24–July 22

Kick off the blueberry season at Whitesbog Preservation Trust. A country fair takes place in this historic village of the Pine Barrens with museum and historic home tours, tractor-pulled wagon rides, craft vendors and more. whitesbog.org

June 30–July 2

Stroll through the Wildwoods Convention Center to check out more than 150 tables of collectibles and memorabilia, including sports cards, toys, comic books and more. There will be celebrity and guest star appearances all weekend. RKSportsPromotions.com

July 22–August 6 (except Tuesdays)

Dorney Park in PA will turn up the energy with its day-to-night international celebration. There will be live music, global eats, games, crafts and a nighttime Spectacle of Color Parade featuring floats, music, street performers and more! dorneypark.com

July 6-8

Randolph Township will celebrate the 4th with carnival rides, games, music, a beer garden, craft vendors and plenty of food. Don’t miss the fireworks show on Saturday night. randolphnj.org

July 7 in Camden + July 21 in Holmdel

Kids will be bopping to the music they love! This children’s group produces family-friendly cover versions of pop songs, such as “Dance Monkey,” “Call Me Maybe” and “Levitating.” livenation.com or kidzbop.com

July 11

If you’ve ever walked through Greenwood Gardens in Short Hills and wondered about a particular statue then this event is for you. You’ll be led on a tour of the beautiful sites in the gardens with a glass of wine (paired with cheese) in hand. greenwoodgardens.org

For more events near you or to add your own, go to njfamily.com/calendar

July 22

It will be hot on the sand of North Wildwood Beach, but you’ll cool down when you see Santa Claus comin’ to town! The beach patrol will lead him in, while lifeguards will entertain with music and singing. For more fun, decorate your beach blanket to welcome the Jolly Old Elf. facebook.com/ northwildwoodbeachpatrol

Aug. 12

This festival offers free fun from city arts organizations. There will be dance performances, face painting, a wellness tent, a history corner and more. stnj.org/ events-tickets/special-events/newbrunswick-heart-festival

July 14-16

If the Wildwoods sign at Rio Grande Avenue isn’t famous enough, it will draw much more attention when hundreds of Jeeps line the beach. Over the course of three days you can check out food trucks, chat with the industry’s top vendors and play on an exclusive beach obstacle course powered by Rausch Creek OffRoad Park. njjpinvasion.com

Aug. 7

New Jersey boasts 11 beautiful lighthouses and one day each year, they all open their grounds for tours, cruises and presentations that pay special tribute to America’s history. Many locations will offer free entry. lighthousefoundation.org

Aug. 18-20

New Jersey Convention and Expo Center in Edison will host celebrity meet-and-greets, pro photo ops, cosplay, film festivals, panels and podcasts. Don’t forget to shop at the Horror Sideshow Market. newjerseyhorrorcon.com