Citing its own knowledge that “pet owners will go to great lengths to provide the best care for their pets,” PurinaCare has launched a group benefits department to help companies offer low-cost employee benefits for their furry friends.

San Antonio-based PurinaCare is now offering employers and associations group discounts for providing their employees and members with a turn-key solution for providing health insurance to pets.

PurinaCare said as companies continue to reduce expenses this year, they are also seeking ways to offer viable employee benefits and maintain productivity and employee loyalty and engagement. Citing market research, the pet provider found that hundreds of companies offer pet health insurance as a supplementary benefit to both attract and retain employees.

PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance has been offered at a discount to employees at parent companies Nestlé Purina PetCare Company and Nestlé USA and underwriter Central States Indemnity Co. of Omaha, a subsidiary of Berkshire Hathaway, according to the company.

This testing phase resulted in “several requests” from large corporations for similar coverage, according to PurinaCare.

“Employers and associations recognize that offering unique benefits like PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance as a voluntary benefit can help with their retention and recruitment,” said Dr. David Goodnight, president and chief operating officer of PurinaCare, in a statement. “Our years of experience working with animals have shown that pet owners will go to great lengths to provide the best care for their pets. By offering PurinaCare Pet Health Insurance, companies and associations can easily expand their menu of benefits with a high-quality new offering that is growing in demand.”

PurinaCare’s group plan offers a discount on premiums to employees and affiliate groups with a minimum of 100 employees or members.