Our beloved pets are family members who bring joy, comfort, and companionship to millions of households. Yet countless animals suffer or are euthanized each year simply because their families cannot afford veterinary care. No one should have to choose between paying rent and saving their pet's life.

We call on legislators to create a Universal Pet Healthcare program that provides basic veterinary coverage for all domestic animals. This program would cover essential services including annual checkups, vaccinations, emergency stabilization, basic dental care, and humane end-of-life services. Funded through a modest combination of pet registration fees, veterinary service taxes, and public funding, this system would function similarly to successful models in some European nations.

The benefits extend beyond individual families. Universal pet healthcare would reduce shelter overcrowding by keeping pets in homes, decrease the spread of preventable diseases like rabies and parvovirus, and lower public health risks from untreated animal illnesses. It would also stabilize veterinary practices by ensuring consistent payment for services and reducing the emotional burden on veterinarians who currently witness treatable animals being euthanized for financial reasons.

Every pet deserves access to basic medical care regardless of their owner's income. By signing this petition, you support legislation that recognizes pets as the family members they are and ensures that financial hardship never forces the heartbreaking decision between an animal's life and a family's financial survival.