UPDATE — SKY’S LAW HAS EXPANDED AS I HAVE LEARNED MORE

When I started this petition, my primary goal was stronger legal recognition for companion animals rather than treating their loss simply as property damage.

Since then, through written correspondence and conversations with Indiana officials, I discovered a second serious issue: veterinary facilities themselves are not required to hold a state facility license. The Director of the Indiana Board of Veterinary Medicine confirmed to me in writing that the Board does not have jurisdiction over veterinary facilities because they are not required to be licensed.

Sky’s Law now seeks two reforms:

1. Meaningful licensing, oversight and accountability for veterinary facilities themselves, including a process to investigate systemic patient-safety concerns and require corrective action.

2. Stronger legal recognition and protection for companion animals beyond ordinary property-value treatment when they are seriously harmed or killed.

These two issues became clear to me only because I continued searching for where a pet parent can turn when something goes tragically wrong.

If an individual veterinarian can be investigated through a professional license, who holds the hospital accountable when the concern is the facility itself? And if the family turns to civil court, why should the life of a beloved companion animal be treated only as property?

That is what I want Sky’s Law to change.