When you adopt your new best friend from the Nova Scotia SPCA, the adoption fee includes a few things, including an eight-week trial of the Nova Scotia SPCA pet health insurance.
The Nova Scotia SPCA and Petline Insurance have had a relationship for more than a decade. Petline, the underwriter, is a 100% Canadian-owned company that supports shelters, pets, and families.
“What makes us special is that we’re genuinely pet people working for pet people. Many of our team members, including myself, come from veterinary clinics and animal-care backgrounds,” said Josie Gawronsky.
Josie is a Business Development Representative who has been with Petline Insurance for almost five years and has consistently been a source of wisdom and help for the Nova Scotia SPCA. “My role is to make sure teams feel supported, equipped, and confident using their insurance resources. I regularly connect with our partners to share updates, provide materials, answer questions, and help navigate anything that comes up,” she said.
Staff at shelters receive training and updates that support adopters in making the most informed decisions for their pets.
Josie explains further, “I always encourage people to do their research. Pet insurance isn’t one-size-fits-all, and every company offers something different. The most important thing is understanding the real cost of veterinary care today and being prepared for the unexpected.
We provide a “Questions to Ask” guide to every adopter helping them compare policies and figure out which coverage fits their needs.” 
The relationship goes beyond just offering coverage for pet parents. “Shelters are the backbone of animal welfare in Canada. You’re the ones rescuing, rehabilitating, educating, and giving animals the second chance they deserve.
Supporting shelters isn’t just something Petline “does” — it’s part of who we are as a company. Through sponsorships, donations, grants, and volunteer engagement, we want to uplift the organizations who are doing the heavy lifting on the front lines. When shelters thrive, animals thrive — and that is perfectly aligned with our mission,” Josie explained.
For more than 10 years, Petline Insurance and its parent company have helped raise more than $200,000 for Nova Scotia SPCA shelters across the province.
We asked Josie about the last five years and what moments have become her favourite, the ones that power her throughout the day.
“I’ve had so many moments that have stayed with me, but the ones that touch my heart the most are when I meet Petline customers who tell me that our insurance helped save their pet. Hearing those stories — knowing that we helped a family through one of the scariest moments of their lives — reminds me exactly why I chose this career. Those conversations never leave me.”
That is a feeling we relate to as each pet’s story stays with us and is ingrained in the work that we do. And partnerships like this one make sure we have the ability to continue that work and help as many pets as their families as we can.
Josie echoes our thoughts. “This isn’t just a job for me; it’s my passion and something that fills my heart every single day. All of my own pets have come from rescues — including my two current dogs — and of course, they’re insured with us. I’m honoured to support the Nova Scotia SPCA and the incredible work you do for animals and families in your community.”
And we’re grateful to be a part of an ecosystem that works towards the same goal: happy and healthy pets and families.
Andrea and her family can attest to that. Shortly after losing their cat Finley, the house was a little too quiet, so they decided to bring another fur baby into the family. “ My partner and I were concerned at times that Finley may have been lonely, as we work outside the home most days and like to travel. We decided to look for two cats,” Andrea explained. They first saw Bea and her brother on the SPCA website, but by the time they arrived at the shelter, Bea’s brother was adopted. They brought Bea home and doubled down on finding Bea a sibling.
Not too long after, more of Bea’s siblings were given the green light for adoption. Andrea said, ” I jumped in the car and thankfully made it in time to adopt Bowie. It was love at first sight with him too – he was sitting there with a big smile on his face, making biscuits. He hates the car – howled all the way home (in a tiny kitten kind of way), but loves pretty much everything else about life.”
But things happen when you least expect them sometimes, and it’s even harder when they can turn into emergencies. ” We were in the process of converting the trial into full policies when Bowie had to be brought to the emergency vet hospital due to a serious gastrointestinal issue. It was a very stressful time and we were so grateful for the caring conversations and email communications with Petline. They helped us convert the trial into a full policy at a time when we needed it urgently. As a result, Bowie had a life-saving surgery,” Andrea remembered. 
Now Bowie lives a happy live, snuggling with his humans, and running around. Andrea shared, “Bowie steals hearts wherever he goes. He is the sweetest, cutest, most handsomest little boy there is (IMO). He is so loved and loving. He and Bea are besties. She frets anytime he has to go to the vet. Seeing them reunite after his surgery was so heartwarming. She’s been taking on the big sis role ever since, keeping him groomed, snuggled, and exercised – they love zooming around the house together and wrestling. Despite the health concerns, we feel like we’ve struck gold with these two sweeties. We couldn’t be happier to have them in our lives.”
Andrea made one last remark. “The teams at Petline and Maritime Emergency Vet Hospital helped to save Bowie’s life and we are so grateful for that. Unfortunately, we learned that Bowie has some progressive and chronic health conditions. Because of Petline, he is able to receive the best care to give him the healthiest and happiest life we can.”