KUALA LUMPUR, Aug. 11 -- Most Malaysian pet owners regard their animals as family, but nearly two-thirds have no dedicated savings, fund or insurance to cover their needs or emergencies, according to a new survey.

The Paws & Pockets Survey by Malaysian digital wealth platform Versa found that 91 per cent of pet owners considered their pets part of the family, while 63 per cent had no dedicated financial buffer for them. The in-app survey polled 10,055 respondents between July and August, including 4,872 pet owners.

"Calling your pet family costs nothing. Being ready for their first emergency does - and right now, only 37 per cent of Malaysian pet owners actually are," Versa chief executive officer and co-founder Teoh Wei Xiang said.

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