On August 16th, our beloved cat Dobby became critically ill due to a urinary blockage. We rushed him to our vet at 9:10 a.m., desperate for help. Despite the urgency, the vet's main concern was their closing time at 12 p.m. Blood tests revealed kidney damage due to the blockage, and a catheterization was briefly performed under mild sedation.

What we didn’t know—and were never told—is that proper treatment requires the catheter to stay in place for 24–48 hours, with hospital monitoring to flush the bladder and prevent a fatal re-blockage. Instead, they removed the catheter after 30 minutes, sent us home with pain medication, and told us to return in a week.

In the early hours of August 17th, Dobby suffered another blockage. We rushed him to a 24-hour emergency vet, only to find his kidneys were now in failure. There was nothing they could do. We had to make the devastating decision to put him to sleep.

Had we been informed of the urgency and proper treatment, we would have taken Dobby elsewhere. This negligence cost him his life.

We’re calling for veterinary transparency and accountability. Pet owners deserve full disclosure of treatment plans, risks, and options—especially in life-threatening situations.

Please sign to help us advocate for better veterinary standards and to ensure no other family has to go through what we did. Dobby deserved better.

We are beyond broken and demand justice not just for Dobby, but for all pets who have suffered due to veterinary negligence. In Sydney, NSW, there is a glaring lack of accountability in the veterinary field. Veterinarians often operate without any form of external scrutiny, protecting each other under an unspoken code of silence. When mistakes happen, pet owners like us find it impossible to seek justice or even an apology. Pursuing grievances through the available channels is often a fruitless endeavor, creating an environment where mistakes are swept under the rug.

In light of our experience and the experiences of countless other pet owners, it is imperative to introduce legislation that holds veterinarians accountable for their actions in treating pets and dealings with their owners. Such legislation would ensure transparency, allowing mishandlings and mistakes to be appropriately addressed without fear of backlash or professional protectionism.

Proposing the establishment of an independent regulatory body, empowered to investigate complaints and enforce disciplinary actions on negligent practitioners, could be a transformative step. With clear guidelines and standards set, veterinarians would be encouraged to uphold the highest standards of care, and the trust between practitioners and pet owners would be reinstated.

By signing this petition, you are advocating for a future where veterinarians in Sydney are held accountable, assuring fair treatment for our pets and peace of mind for pet lovers across the region. Join us in urging policymakers to create laws that protect our cherished animal companions. Your signature can make a difference in securing justice for Dobby, and countless other animals who deserve a voice.