No one should have to bury their dog because help was too far away.

That is exactly what happened to us in Sandusky, Ohio.

On Thursday, July 11, 2025, our beloved dog Thor affectionately called Thori passed away because we did not have access to a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital nearby. We did everything we could. We had the medication. We had the love. However, Sandusky does not have a single 24-hour veterinary hospital. By the time we made the 40-minute to one-hour drive to seek help, it was too late. The following day, we buried him in the backyard.

This is not just our story. It is a devastating reality that many pet owners in Sandusky and the surrounding areas have faced. We are a growing tourist town—families live here, travel here, and raise their pets here. Yet, when emergencies happen after hours, we are left completely without support. In a town with thousands of pets, how can we not have access to emergency care?

We are calling on city leaders, Erie County officials, and local veterinary organizations to bring a 24-hour animal emergency hospital to Sandusky. Just as humans deserve emergency care 24 hours a day, our pets do too. Lives are being lost simply because there is no facility equipped to help when it matters most.

This issue is not only about availability. It is also about affordability.

Too many pet owners are forced to choose between their bank account and their animal’s life. We need a facility that is not only available during emergencies but also compassionate and accessible in cost, offering fair pricing, sliding scales, or partnerships with local programs that can support working families.

This petition is for Thor, and for every pet who did not make it in time.

It is for the animals we can still save if action is taken now.

We are asking our local government and veterinary community to work together to create a solution whether through a new emergency clinic, a satellite location from a larger hospital, or a rotating on-call network. We are not asking for perfection. We are asking for a lifeline that is within reach for everyone.

Please sign if you believe:

Sandusky, Ohio, deserves a 24-hour emergency veterinary hospital.
No one should lose a pet because of distance or cost.
Our animals’ lives are worth protecting.

Let us stand together for Thor, for your pets, and for all of us.

Thank you for reading. Thank you for caring.