Pets are not property—they are family. Yet, right now, our legal and veterinary systems treat them like disposable assets.
Recently, our sweet, innocent boy Rusty passed away after being denied continued, life-saving emergency medical treatment because of a heartless billing system. When we took our case to the State Veterinary Board, they hid behind bureaucratic loopholes, ruling that a veterinary clinic has the absolute right to refuse or stop treatment for non-payment, even in the middle of a life-or-death crisis. Unless you are rich or have deep pockets, your pet can be kicked out to die.
No animal deserves to be abandoned in their hour of need, and no grieving family should ever have to endure the trauma, distress, and heartache we have faced.
We are launching this campaign to demand the creation and passage of "Rusty’s Law."
Rusty's Law will mandate that veterinary hospitals and emergency clinics cannot abruptly deny or cease stabilizing, life-saving care to an animal in an active medical emergency based solely on an owner’s immediate inability to pay. There must be mandatory stabilization protocols, reasonable payment grace periods, or temporary holding options before an animal is discharged in critical condition.
We fought for Rusty legally, and we won the right to lay him to rest—but the fight for his legacy is just beginning. We will not stop until the law changes.
Please sign and share this petition to tell our state legislators that veterinary corporations must prioritize life and basic decency over cold, hard cash. Protect our pets. Protect our families.
Sign today for #RustysLaw.