Thanks to advances in medical technology, pet health care has reached a new level of sophistication. Procedures and diagnostic tools once reserved for humans, such as kidney transplants, radiation and MRIs, are now used to treat conditions considered incurable in pets as recently as a few years ago.

Advances in health care translate to longer lifespans for pets - but with a higher price tag. Consider this: Last year, dog guardians spent an average of $785 on vet bills, while cat owners spent $516, according to the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.

While everyone wants to provide medical care for pets, it is costly. As the sophistication of veterinary care increases, treating pets for an illness or medical emergency can be financially difficult. That's why more and more guardians are opting for pet insurance.

Though similar in theory to medical insurance plans for people, health insurance for pets works a little differently. Your pet can be brought to any vet, taking away the hassle of finding an "in-network" doctor. In lieu of a co-payment, fees must be paid in full at the time of service. Your vet will sign a claim form, which you then mail in for reimbursement.

Pet insurance originated in Europe in the 1970s, but was not offered in the U.S. until the early 1980s. Twenty years later, while nearly a quarter of pet owners in England have pet insurance, and half in Sweden, only one percent of American pet guardians possess health insurance for their pet. But with rising health care costs, this percentage is growing.

Today, there are two major pet insurance companies: Veterinary Pet Insurance and Pethealth, Inc. Both offer several options for coverage. Generally, a basic plan will cover treatment for accidents and illness, while more sophisticated plans cover preventivecare and coverage for routine vet service. Most insurance plans will not cover pre-existing conditions. Costs vary depending on the age and breed of your pet, but some plans cost as little as $10 a month.

Animal shelters are beginning to recognize the benefits of pet insurance, too. Unexpected medical fees for newly adopted animals can put a strain on a shelter's limited financial resources. Post-adoption insurance plans allow shelters to utilize scarce resources elsewhere, ultimately saving more animals' lives.

Pet insurance can also be a comfort to those considering adopting a pet. "Some people hesitate to adopt a pet from a shelter for fear of post-adoption illness or accidents," says Keri Fennell, the Humane Society's customer care director. "Pet insurance programs address this issue by creating a safety net for pet guardians who may encounter unexpected health expenses."

Under a new program called ShelterCare (offered through Pethealth, Inc.), Marin Humane Society adopters are now eligible for 30 days of free insurance coverage. After that, adopters have the option of extending basic coverage for a reduced rate or upgrading to another policy. To date, more than 450 animals adopted from MHS have been enrolled in the program.

Tails of Marin appears every Saturday in the Home & Garden section of the Marin Independent Journal