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Please Support H.B. 7020 and Expand Access to Veterinary Telehealth
Dear Speaker Shekarchi,
Thank you for your longstanding leadership on issues impacting Rhode Island families and animal welfare. As a Rhode Island resident, I am writing to urge you to support H.B. 7020, legislation that modernizes our state’s veterinary laws and expands access to safe, effective veterinary telemedicine.
Too many pet owners and animal shelters across Rhode Island are struggling to access timely veterinary care due to workforce shortages, cost barriers, transportation challenges, personal work schedules and limited clinic availability. These gaps leave families with few options when their pets need care urgently.
Veterinary telemedicine offers a responsible, proven tool to help licensed veterinarians provide guidance, treatment support and follow-up care through secure digital platforms, thus improving access while maintaining safety and professional standards. Telemedicine is especially important for seniors, working families, people in underserved areas and pet owners with animals who are fearful, reactive, large, or difficult to transport.
Just as telehealth has strengthened access to human healthcare, veterinary telemedicine can strengthen access to care for Rhode Island’s pets – improving outcomes, reducing suffering and preventing unnecessary emergencies.
I respectfully urge you to support H.B. 7020 and help ensure that Rhode Island families can access modern, compassionate, and accessible veterinary care.
Thank you for your time and leadership.
Support H.B. 7020/S.B 3180—Expand Access to Veterinary Telehealth
Dear Legislator,
As a constituent, I am writing to urge you to support H.B. 7020/S.B 3180, legislation that expands access to safe, responsible veterinary telemedicine in Rhode Island.
Families across our state are struggling to access veterinary care due to workforce shortages, affordability concerns, transportation barriers and limited clinic availability. These challenges leave too many pet owners without options when their animals need care.
Veterinary telemedicine provides a proven, responsible way to expand access. It allows licensed veterinarians to deliver care, guidance and follow-up services through secure digital platforms, thus improving access while maintaining professional standards and patient safety.
This approach is especially critical for seniors, working families, people in underserved communities and pet owners with animals who are anxious, reactive, large or difficult to transport. Expanding access to telemedicine strengthens the entire veterinary care system and helps prevent minor health issues from becoming emergencies.
Please vote YES on H.B. 7020/S.B 3180 and help modernize Rhode Island’s veterinary care system so that more pets and families can get the care they need when they need it most.
Thank you for your time and consideration.