We sat down with Liz Blake, Sr. Veterinary Sales Representative at Pets Plus Us, for a conversation that starts light but quickly gets real.

From Halloween costumes to $10,000 emergencies and life-changing decisions, this episode dives into the reality of pet insurance in vet med.

Liz shares her stories from over 25 years in clinic and industry including the moment that changed everything: a six-month-old puppy, two broken legs, and a bill that altered the course of her life.

We explore:

- Why only ~2.8% of pets in Canada are insured and why that’s a problem
- The emotional and financial impact of “economic euthanasia”
- How insurance changes decision-making for both pet owners and veterinary teams
- Common misconceptions (and why “just saving monthly” often fails)
- What clinics and RVTs can do to better educate clients
- The role of insurance in enabling gold-standard care and reducing moral stress

This episode isn’t about selling insurance. It’s about understanding the gap between the care we want to provide and what’s financially possible, and how we start to close it.

About Liz:

"My passion for animals has been a lifelong journey, influenced by my animal-loving parents who encouraged my interest in caring for a diverse array of pets throughout my upbringing.

My professional path in animal care began during high school when I secured a position at a pet store with a zoo license. This role provided me with invaluable experience working with a range of unique species, including primates, big cats, and exotic animals. Upon graduating high school, I embarked on my first role in a veterinary practice and simultaneously initiated a wildlife rescue operation from my parents' home as well as a pet sitting service for reptiles, birds, and pocket pets.

I have dedicated my personal life and career to animal welfare. I’ve worked in a variety of roles in veterinary practices for over 26 years where I specialized in exotics and wildlife. I have been an advocate for pet health insurance after experiencing firsthand how it can help in life-or-death situations when large veterinary bills can affect pet owners’ decisions.

I am deeply committed to education, believing that knowledge is crucial for the conservation and well-being of all species. In addition to my professional endeavours, I actively volunteer as a wildlife educator, hand-raise neonatal kittens and foster a variety of species of animals in my home. I am on the BOD for Kali's Wish Foundation as well as the Veterinary Office Assistant Program at Bow Valley College. My personal passion is volunteering to help people with their pets through end-of-life care & decisions.

I am honoured to be part of the Pets Plus Us team as a Sr. Veterinary Sales Representative for the past 12 years and am dedicated to continuing my work in animal welfare and education.

I am very excited to be on 'Don’t Call Me Catty' Podcast!! Leilani & Jillian are women I highly respect and look up to in an industry I have dedicated my life to. I am so

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