Germany loves its dogs. But only three out of ten are insured. Martin Rütter wants to change that and is starting a joint campaign with the Lassie animal insurance company.
Berlin. More and more dog owners are coming under financial pressure due to rising veterinary costs. Since the amendment to the fee schedule for veterinarians (GOT) In November 2022, veterinary costs in Germany rose significantly – a standard dog examination alone has since cost 75 percent more than before. Operations can quickly cost several thousand euros. This is increasingly becoming a problem for many people: According to a nationwide survey of 218 animal shelters by the German Animal Welfare Association, a third of the facilities surveyed stated that since the GOT reform, more animals have been given away explicitly for financial reasons. Dog trainer Martin Rütter and the preventive animal insurance company Lassie want to start exactly there and are starting a nationwide awareness campaign together.
After over 25 years as a dog professional:
An insurance that finally convinces
Martin Rütter is the dog professional in German-speaking countries: 90 percent of dog owners know his name and he knows their dogs like no other. He has been supporting dog owners for 20 years in TV formats such as “Der Hundeprofi” and through his network of more than 150 dog schools. In his daily work he sees what it means when owners give everything for their animals and what happens when financial constraints suddenly become a barrier.
“Just like with people, prevention is important for dogs. I generally recommend going to the vet once a year. This is exactly where Lassie comes in and supports you and your dog not only during but also between visits to the vet. That simply convinced me,” says Martin Rütter.
For Lassie, the collaboration is a perfect match: “Martin appeals to all people who only want the best for their dog. He has the same basic belief as us: an informed dog owner is the best protection an animal can have. Insurance is part of it, but not everything,” says Hedda Båverud Olsson, co-founder and CEO of Lassie.
Rewards for fit dogs
and a free online vet
What makes Lassie special: The Swedish company goes beyond traditional insurance coverage. Through the app, pet owners have access to hundreds of prevention courses on health, nutrition and preventive care and are actively rewarded for keeping their dog fit: those who complete the courses pay less in the insurance premium.
In addition, the app offers a free online veterinarian and enables the digital submission of veterinary bills. A look at Sweden shows that such a model can make a difference to society: There, over 90 percent of all dogs have health insurance – pet insurance has been a natural part of responsible animal ownership for decades. In Germany, according to a representative survey by Norstat (2023) only about three out of ten. It is precisely this awareness that Lassie and Martin Rütter want to change together.
About Lassie
Lassie is a digital pet insurance for dogs and cats, founded in Sweden in 2021 and now active in Sweden, Germany and France. More than a million paws are now insured with Lassie. The company combines preventive insurance coverage with an app that accompanies owners through prevention courses, reminders and veterinary information – before and after the vet visit. In Germany, Lassie operates as Lassie AB Germany Branch (HRB 245228 B, Charlottenburg District Court). The risk taker is HDI. Lassie AB is registered as an insurance broker with the IHK Berlin. Further information: www.lassie.de.
About Martin Rütter
Martin Rütter is the best-known dog trainer in German-speaking countries. With TV formats such as “The Dog Professional”, “The Uncommunicable” and “The Puppies Are Coming”, he has been an integral part of the German television landscape for more than two decades. As a book author, live comedian and founder of a network with over 150 dog schools – in which more than 380 trained coaches carry on his philosophy – he reaches hundreds of thousands of dog owners every day. Martin Rütter lives vegan and is actively committed to animal protection.
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