Make Emergency Pet Poison Control Free for New York Families
The Issue
To Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature:
This issue became clear to me after my dog accidentally ingested several human supplements. Before any information about their potential toxicity could be researched or provided, I was required to pay an $89 consultation fee. The consultation then took more than an hour while the ingredients and possible doses were evaluated, during which it remained unclear whether emergency treatment was needed. Although the exposure was ultimately considered likely subtoxic, the experience highlighted how the upfront cost could prevent some families from obtaining even an initial assessment.
When a pet consumes medication, food, chemicals or another potentially toxic substance, families must act quickly. Veterinary poison specialists calculate toxic doses, determine whether an animal can safely be monitored at home and coordinate treatment recommendations with veterinarians. Prompt guidance can save animals’ lives and may also prevent unnecessary emergency veterinary visits.
We ask New York State to establish and fund a Companion Animal Poison Assistance Program. The program should contract with qualified 24-hour veterinary toxicology providers to give New York residents free initial consultations and follow-up assistance for the same poisoning incident.
The program should also fund adequate 24-hour staffing, surge capacity, professional training and reasonable response-time standards so families can receive timely guidance during an emergency. This would help ensure that increased access does not result in longer delays for people seeking urgent assistance.
New York can lead the way by creating a state-funded program that can serve as a model for the rest of the country. The long-term vision is a nationwide companion-animal poison network supported through federal, state and local partnerships, similar to the human Poison Help system, with free, timely access to qualified veterinary toxicology professionals.
We urge the Governor and Legislature to include funding for this service in the next state budget and work with New York’s congressional delegation and other states toward making publicly funded pet-poison assistance available nationwide.
No family should have to delay potentially lifesaving guidance because they cannot afford an upfront consultation fee.
307
The Issue
To Governor Kathy Hochul and the New York State Legislature:
This issue became clear to me after my dog accidentally ingested several human supplements. Before any information about their potential toxicity could be researched or provided, I was required to pay an $89 consultation fee. The consultation then took more than an hour while the ingredients and possible doses were evaluated, during which it remained unclear whether emergency treatment was needed. Although the exposure was ultimately considered likely subtoxic, the experience highlighted how the upfront cost could prevent some families from obtaining even an initial assessment.
When a pet consumes medication, food, chemicals or another potentially toxic substance, families must act quickly. Veterinary poison specialists calculate toxic doses, determine whether an animal can safely be monitored at home and coordinate treatment recommendations with veterinarians. Prompt guidance can save animals’ lives and may also prevent unnecessary emergency veterinary visits.
We ask New York State to establish and fund a Companion Animal Poison Assistance Program. The program should contract with qualified 24-hour veterinary toxicology providers to give New York residents free initial consultations and follow-up assistance for the same poisoning incident.
The program should also fund adequate 24-hour staffing, surge capacity, professional training and reasonable response-time standards so families can receive timely guidance during an emergency. This would help ensure that increased access does not result in longer delays for people seeking urgent assistance.
New York can lead the way by creating a state-funded program that can serve as a model for the rest of the country. The long-term vision is a nationwide companion-animal poison network supported through federal, state and local partnerships, similar to the human Poison Help system, with free, timely access to qualified veterinary toxicology professionals.
We urge the Governor and Legislature to include funding for this service in the next state budget and work with New York’s congressional delegation and other states toward making publicly funded pet-poison assistance available nationwide.
No family should have to delay potentially lifesaving guidance because they cannot afford an upfront consultation fee.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on September 17, 2026