JEFFERSONVILLE, IN—PetFirst Healthcare, a pet insurance provider, and Petfinder.com have announced that they will partner to increase animal adoptions by providing prospective dog or cat owners protection against unexpected veterinary costs.

The two companies will offer health insurance policies to dogs and cats adopted through Petfinder's database of more than 13,000 animal organizations.

Under the new program, pet owners can sign up for health insurance plans that provide up to $1,000 of annual accident and illness protection. The plans cost $5 for the first month and $14.95 each month thereafter, compared to PetFirst's basic insurance plans that generally start around $30 per month.

PetFirst's adoption program can be beneficial to animal shelters or rescue groups, which can create an added value to adoptions and experience a reduction in health-related returns. In addition, the program can help encourage the adoption of older animals, because there are no age restrictions on the PetFirst insurance plan.

PetFirst coverage is available to individual dogs and cats or families with multiple pets. Veterinarians and specialists nationwide, including emergency care clinics, are all accepted under PetFirst's plan. After incurring veterinary costs, pet owners will be reimbursed in less than 2 weeks.