In the past few months, I have faced heartbreaking experiences with my two beloved dogs at the animal hospital. One of them, Chase, had to undergo a "draining" procedure every few months due to kidney disease. Each visit involved a distressing conversation with the veterinarian asking if we would like to have CPR performed, should the need arise — with a hefty additional charge attached. These charges can range from $200 to $500, and in cases where advanced life support measures are needed, costs can skyrocket into the thousands.

My other puppy, Chubbs, had to be rushed into the animal hospital and needed immediate medical treatment. The doctors performed the CPR immediately, but then made sure my family had a card on file. If they didn't, they would have stopped.

For many pet owners, their animals are not just pets but integral members of their families. Yet, the law deems them as "tangible personal property." That means that the law could consider them the equivalent to your cell phone.  In dire situations where immediate life-saving measures such as CPR are needed, nobody should be faced with the impossible decision of whether or not they can afford to save their pet’s life. CPR is a basic, living right, and should not be used as a privilege that is barred by financial constraints.

Animal hospitals currently treat CPR as an optional service, but it is time for us to change this perspective. No one should have to weigh a pet’s life against a financial burden. Medical ethics should prioritize the life-saving potential of CPR as an essential practice, unconditionally available to all animals in need.

Statistics indicate that pet expenditure in the United States reached $136.8 billion in 2022 alone, highlighting the growing bond between humans and their pets. Additionally, 67% of U.S households own a pet, showing the significance of this issue in millions of lives. As veterinary care costs continue to rise, many families are faced with difficult choices due to financial limitations when it comes to their beloved pets' health.

We call upon animal hospitals and veterinary offices across the nation to cease charging for CPR as a separate service and integrate it as part of their standard emergency response at no additional cost. This policy change will ensure that no pet owner has to make the painful decision between their pet’s life and their financial stability ever again.

Please sign this petition to advocate for animal welfare and ensure that essential life-saving treatment is available to all pets, regardless of the owner's financial situation. Together, we can push for a system where the love and care for our pets are not bound by financial barriers and where every animal receives the right to life-saving CPR without cost.