When humans present themselves at an Emergency Department under EMTALA they are required care regardless of proof of payment or insurance. Why are animals treated differently in emergency situations? 

After losing my beloved cat Fred because an ER Vet put financial policy and paperwork over the welfare of my animals well being, something has to change. My animal suffered because the Veterinary clinic needed a financial obligation paper filled out before they would even touch him.

I am proposing a bill to require Emergency Veterinary Clinics to stabilize and treat every emergency case regardless of the owners ability to pay. 

Our animals deserve better. Our animals deserve the same care we get. They are our family members, so why should their care be different? 

I need your support to get this topic going so we can save as many furry family members as we can! 

*** Fred's story ***

Hello all! I want to share my baby Freddy's story.

My name is Danielle Sigler. On the night of February 11th, 2021, at approximately 11pm. I found my 6 year old cat, Fred, unresponsive. He was still alive and had a heartbeat. In a panic, my husband called the only Emergency Vet open at this hour, Valley Veterinary Associates in Sidney, NY. Before he could get any information out about what was going on with Fred they started listing of Euthenasia and cremation prices and stating that payment was due up front. My husband told them he didnt care what it would cost, just to help my baby. He told them we lived 2 miles down the road and he would be there in 5 minutes. He took Fred there and when he got there, he took Fred out of the vehicle with him to the doors, where they stood in the freezing cold, while the workers sat in the lobby conversating with eachother for 7 whole minutes, as my husband and my deathly ill cat - who was still alive at this time - watched and waited for someone to come to the door. When someone finally came to the door, he was handed a clip board with financial obligation paperwork. My husband tried to hand the worker my cat, and she stated ' i cant touch him until this paperwork is filled out.' He then had to go put my Fred - who was STILL alive - back in the vehicle to fill out paperwork. Where he died, COLD AND ALONE. When he was finished with paperwork, he then brought Fred inside where they set him down on a table and the Vet put his HAND on his chest and said - hes gone. They did not use a stethoscope, or any life saving measures to bring him back. Just the hand.

Obviously in a rush, my husband forgot his wallet. He told them he had to run home and grab it. As he was leaving they told him they could not keep Fred there while he went home. So THEY MADE HIM PUT MY DEAD CAT BACK IN THE VEHICLE TO COME HOME TO GET HIS WALLET.

In this HEARTBREAKING TIME, they were absolutely callous and cold to my cat. They put the priority of paperwork and money in front of the welfare of my dying animal. All DOCTORS take an oath and they did not stand by this Oath. My baby Fred, deserved BETTER. HE DESERVED CARE. HE DESERVED THE RIGHT TO CARE THAT HE DID NOT RECEIVE IN THE LAST MOMENTS OF HIS LIFE!!!

JUSTICE FOR FRED!!!!!!!

Please consider signing my petition to ensure EVERY animal In an emergency gets the treatment they need regardless of the owners financial situation. http://chng.it/rZT8dL9D6S

Hi all, I just wanted to give a quick but rather heartbreaking update.

My 9 month old Shepard was hit by a car last night after hopping our fence. I was put in another situation where I faced financial hardship in an emergency over priority of care. Unfortunately due to the financial circumstances, I had to make the excruciating decision to put her to rest. 

This campaign is not only important but it is crucial to keeping our pets safety and the ability to save them in an emergency situation.

Please look at your fur babies and think about what would happen if an emergency happened and you didn't have the money to save their life. That you had to choose ending their life because you were short on cash. Please help me save future happenings of this atrocity.