My 8-year-old dog, a cherished member of our family, passed away tragically just 12 hours after visiting the vet. The vet conducted only two blood tests and diagnosed her with a bacterial infection. We were sent home with antibiotics and reassurances that she would be okay. That evening, she could barely walk and by the next morning at 7:24 AM, she was gone. Our beloved pet suffered an unimaginably painful death with a fever of 103 degrees.

This heart-wrenching experience is not unique to us alone; countless families have had to endure the loss of their pets due to veterinary negligence. Despite this, animals are still viewed as personal property under law in many states when they die from such neglect.

It's time for change.

In the United States alone, approximately 85 million families own at least one pet (American Pet Products Association). These animals are not mere possessions; they are integral parts of our lives who deserve proper medical care and protection under law when that care fails them.

We urge lawmakers to enact legislation requiring states to view animals as more than personal property in cases where they die from veterinary neglect or malpractice. This will ensure veterinarians are held accountable for their actions or lack thereof and provide justice for families who have lost their beloved pets due to such negligence.

Please sign this petition today so no other family has to experience what we did – losing a loved one without any recourse for justice or accountability.