The inspiration for Trupanion - our founder's childhood dog Mitzy
The Trupanion story - Darryl Rawlings. Founder
My vision for Trupanion began in my hometown of Vancouver Canada when I was just 14 years old.
The insatiable love I have for animals started early in life. As a child growing up in Vancouver, our family had a beautiful black dog named Mitzy who brought immeasurable joy to our home. I cherished every moment spent petting her soft fur and taking her out to play through the scenic Pacific Northwest landscapes.
Tragedy struck when we had to rush Mitzy to an emergency veterinarian, where we discovered she had a twisted stomach. Though only two years old and facing a relatively routine procedure, my family simply couldn't afford the thousands of dollars needed for her life-saving surgery. This heartbreaking experience would forever change my perspective on pet healthcare.
My ah-ha moment
Fifteen years later, after graduating college and exploring various career paths without finding true fulfillment, I found myself at a crossroads—limited finances, abundant ideas, but no clear direction. It was during this pivotal time that I adopted a dog named Monty, whose companionship would prove transformative.
Monty became my faithful friend, keeping me grounded and focused as I launched my first venture—a cigar business. Yet, the concept of reimagining pet insurance continued to occupy my thoughts. Drawing from my Canadian values of compassion and community care, I envisioned creating a company that would genuinely serve pet parents, their beloved animals, and veterinarians alike.
The beginnings of Trupanion
Trupanion's humble beginnings took place aboard my boat, The Brisa, where Monty and I would work diligently before napping on the sun-drenched deck—not a bad office setting for a young entrepreneur with a dream!
Eventually, I transitioned from boat to proper office space. I insured my first pet (Monty, naturally) in 2000, reached 100 insured pets in 2001, and hit the 1,000 mark in 2002. Gradually, my vision materialized—pet parents gained access to life-saving coverage for their four-legged family members, and veterinarians recognized the value of insured pets. Today, Trupanion has expanded to a team of over 1,200 employees, with approximately 170 Territory Partners visiting veterinarians throughout the US, Canada, and Australia, protecting nearly 1 million cats and dogs.
What this means for you
The Trupanion dedicated team of passionate, hardworking pet lovers collaborates directly with veterinarians to craft policies that serve pets throughout their lives. As the only company offering all of these distinct advantages, we provide:
- No payout limits for every enrolled pet, reducing financial stress during critical moments.
- One simple, robust policy developed with veterinary expertise to ensure coverage for new injuries and illnesses.
- Direct payment to veterinarians at checkout, sparing you the burden of waiting weeks for reimbursement.
Terms and conditions apply. See the full policy for details.
I take immense pride in our policy and company, knowing our work helps save countless cats and dogs. I remain convinced that had Trupanion existed when I was growing up in Vancouver, Mitzy would have enjoyed a much longer, healthier life—a belief that continues to drive our mission forward to this day.
We’re always ready to help
Our customer care team is available 24/7/365.
