Veterinary Pet Insurance Reveals Top 10 Dog and Cat Names of 2008

Traditional Pet Names on the Decline as "Max" Tops Dog and Cat Lists

BREA, Calif., Jan. 6 /PRNewswire/ -- The faithfulness of man's best friend led
many in the past to consider Fido the ideal name for a dog. In 2008, pet
owners were more likely to name their dog Frank than Fido. Veterinary Pet
Insurance (VPI), the nation's oldest and largest provider of pet health
insurance, recently analyzed its database of more than 466,000 insured pets to
find the most popular dog and cat names of 2008. For both dogs and cats, Max
was the most popular name in 2008. Overall, VPI's data indicates that
traditional pet names, such as Fido, have taken a back seat to "people" names
like Max. In fact, some of the most popular dog and cat names - Bella, Chloe,
Sophie and Bailey - also rank among the Social Security Administration's most
popular baby names.

Dogs Cats
1. Max 1. Max
2. Bailey 2. Chloe
3. Bella 3. Tigger
4. Molly 4. Tiger
5. Lucy 5. Lucy
6. Buddy 6. Smokey
7. Maggie 7. Oliver
8. Daisy 8. Bella
9. Sophie 9. Shadow
10. Chloe 10. Charlie

"Pets are often viewed as members of the family, treated like members of the
family and, as a result, named like members of the family," said Curtis
Steinhoff, senior director of corporate communications for VPI. "Max may sleep
on his owner's bed, eat gourmet food and wear clothes to go out on the town.
Rover probably does not. Max is short, yet easy to distinguish from common
commands, so it is easy to understand why it's such a popular pet name."

This is the sixth consecutive year that Max is the top name for dogs and cats.
Since last year's results, the most notable increase in any name has been
Bailey, which was No. 9 in 2007. Other changes in 2008 include the addition of
Sophie (No. 9) and Chloe (No. 10) in place of Jake and Rocky for canine names,
and Shadow (No. 9) and Charlie (No. 10) in place of Sophie and Princess for
feline names. As in 2007, Max joined Lucy and Bella as names popular for both
cats and dogs in 2008.

Only 13 dogs in VPI's database went by Fido in 2008, placing the name at No.
2,866. Rover wasn't far behind at No. 2,534. Surprisingly, some dog names are
more popular than Rover and Fido were Liebchen, Zowie, Munchie, Ginger Snap,
Butchie, Dundee and Grendel. Other classic dog names that ranked low in
popularity included Lassie (No. 1,572), Pluto (No. 1,009), Patch (No. 667),
Spot (No. 659), Fluffy (No. 338), and Rex (No. 138).

Besides being the most common name in 2008, Max also owned the distinction of
the name with the most variations. VPI's database includes such Max-inspired
pet names as Maximum Max, Max Power, Max Avalanche, Maximus Gladius Spartacus,
Minimax, Sergeant Maxwell T. Steel, Max the Moose, Max Crime Fighter, Cherokee
Max, Peanut Max, T.J. Maxx, Duramax, Fatmax, Maxmax, Maxator Midnight and Mad
Max McNaughty. To view more names on the uncommon end of the list, visit
www.wackypetnames.com.

About Veterinary Pet Insurance
Veterinary Pet Insurance Co./DVM Insurance Agency is the nation's oldest and
largest pet health insurance company. Providing pet owners with peace of mind
since 1982, the company is committed to being the trusted choice of America's
pet lovers and an advocate of pet health education. VPI Pet Insurance plans
cover dogs, cats, birds and exotic pets for multiple medical problems and
conditions relating to accidents, illnesses and injuries. Optional Pet
WellCare ProtectionSM for routine care is also available.

Medical plans are available in all 50 states and the District of Columbia.
More than 2,000 companies nationwide offer VPI Pet Insurance as an employee
benefit. Policies are underwritten by Veterinary Pet Insurance Company in
California and in all other states by National Casualty Company, an A+15 rated
company in Madison, Wisconsin. For more information about VPI Pet Insurance,
call 800-USA-PETS (800-872-7387) or visit petinsurance.com.

SOURCE Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.

Brian Iannessa, +1-714-989-5662, +1-714-981-2056, mobile,
biannessa@petinsurance.com, for Veterinary Pet Insurance Co.