Brea, Calif. (Nov. 17, 2008) — More than $12,000 was raised on Saturday for pet cancer research at the annual K9K Walk for Pet Cancer held in Long Beach, where more than 500 dogs and their dedicated pet parents strolled in unison around the Shoreline Village Lighthouse Peninsula — all for a good cause.

The second-annual event was established by Brea-based Veterinary Pet Insurance (VPI), the nation’s oldest and largest provider of pet health insurance. In 2005, VPI designated every November as National Pet Cancer Awareness Month to educate pet owners on the prevalence and management of pet cancer. VPI is continuing its campaign of education and philanthropy for the fourth consecutive year.

“Saturday’s pet cancer awareness walk is just one small way we can help pet owners take positive action against the No. 1 disease-related killer in pets,” said VPI President and CEO Dennis Drent. “What an amazing response we have received not only from our own policyholders in the area, but from other pet lovers who recognize the threat cancer poses to their pets and are motivated to do what they can to find a cure.”

The three-kilometer walk raised money for the Animal Cancer Foundation, which strives to advance the diagnosis, treatment and prevention of cancers in pets and people. In addition to the proceeds from the walk, VPI has also designed a limited-edition Pet Cancer Awareness dog collar available for purchase at www.petinsurance.com/cancer. All proceeds from the dog collar sales also go to the Animal Cancer Foundation.

“Three years ago when VPI first approached our founder, Gerald Post, D.V.M., with its offer to donate proceeds from the Pet Cancer Awareness dog collars to our organization, we could never have imagined it would grow into an ongoing relationship that would include an awareness walk,” said Animal Cancer Foundation Executive Director Barbara Cohen, who attended Saturday’s event. “We are delighted to be partnering with such a compassionate company to further comparative oncology research that benefits cancer-stricken pets and offers hope of new therapies for people.”