Animal Welfare Groups Urge Rhode Island Gov. McKee to Sign Legislation Expanding Access to Veterinary Telemedicine

RHODE ISLAND – The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®), Rhode Island SPCA, and Potter League for Animals commend Rhode Island lawmakers for passing H.B. 7020/S.B. 3180 enabling veterinarians to use telehealth technology for new and existing patients and expanding access to lifesaving veterinary care for families with pets. Sponsored by Rep. Jon Brien and Sen. Brian Thompson, the bill overwhelmingly passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate this week, and now heads to Gov. Dan McKee, who will have up to 10 days to sign the bill, which would become effective immediately.

Many Rhode Island families are struggling to find timely care as the U.S. continues to face a critical shortage of veterinary professionals, with some studies predicting that 75 million pets in the U.S. could be without healthcare by 2030 if the situation isn’t addressed. Just as in human healthcare, telehealth technology helps bridge gaps in care caused by workforce shortages or other barriers to care such as transportation issues. Veterinary telemedicine strengthens access to care for Rhode Island’s pets – helping to improve outcomes, reduce suffering, and increase access to safe, effective, convenient veterinary telemedicine, which can be a lifeline for pet owners, especially those in remote or underserved areas with few or no veterinarians, and those who face financial or logistical obstacles getting pets to a clinic.

“Telemedicine has been a tremendous success story in health care,” said Representative Brien (I-Dist. 49, Woonsocket). “There’s no reason we can’t extend that success to animal care. It’s time to modernize Rhode Island’s veterinary laws to enable state-licensed veterinarians to use proven, convenient, safe telehealth technology for pet patients. In addition, an ongoing veterinary workforce shortage is making care harder to get, and many Rhode Island pet owners do not have adequate access to veterinary care.”

“Taking your pet to the veterinarian can be a traumatic experience — both for pets and their owners,” said Senator Thompson (D-Dist. 20, Woonsocket, Cumberland). “Most people don’t have the luxury of taking time off of work for what can amount to a half-day commitment. The only current option for accessing veterinary care on nights and weekends is an expensive and stressful trip to the emergency animal hospital. This provides peace of mind for pet owners who know they will receive the same standards of care under state law for both telehealth and in-person visits.”

H.B. 7020/S.B. 3180 will empower highly educated, Rhode Island-licensed veterinarians to establish a veterinarian-client-patient-relationship (VCPR) through real-time audio-video technology and assess when pets need to have an in-person examination as well as those situations when veterinary telemedicine would be an appropriate treatment decision, an approach that safely expanded access for pets and their owners in Rhode Island during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Telemedicine is a proven, responsible way to expand access to the veterinary care system and helps prevent minor health issues from becoming emergencies. If signed into law, H.B. 7020/S.B. 3180 will modernize state law to help keep pets in loving homes, reduce stress for pets and owners alike, and prevent animal suffering in Rhode Island,” said Jennifer Hobgood, senior director of access to care policy for the ASPCA. “The ASPCA is grateful to Representative Jon Brien and Senator Brian Thompson for championing this legislation, and we urge Governor McKee to sign H.B. 7020/S.B.3180 into law to ensure more pets can access critical veterinary care at a time when it is needed most.”

“The Rhode Island SPCA commends Representative Jon Brien and Senator Brian Thompson for elevating the status of Rhode Island’s pets by recognizing they deserve access to quality veterinary care and for removing barriers to receiving that care by working hard to bring this important legislation to fruition,” said Todd Cramer, President of Rhode Island SPCA. “We ask the Governor to do the same by signing H.B. 7020/S.B. 3180 into law.”

“Every day at the Potter League for Animals, we hear from people who are facing barriers to accessing veterinary care,” said Brad Shear, CEO of Potter League for Animals. “Rhode Island families need more options for taking care of their beloved pets. H.B.7020/S.B.3180 provides those options for those who need it while still preserving the high standards we have for veterinary care in our state.”

During the COVID-19 pandemic, many states temporarily suspended laws and regulations that blocked access to veterinary telemedicine by requiring in-person examinations, and since that time an increasing number of states have passed laws to remove outdated and unnecessary legal barriers to veterinary telemedicine. If Gov. McKee signs H.B. 7020/S.B. 3180 into law, Rhode Island will become the 10^th state to modernize its veterinary laws, joining a growing number of states across the country that have passed similar laws to enable veterinarians to treat new patients over telehealth, including Arizona, California, Florida, Idaho, New Jersey, Ohio, Vermont, Virginia and Washington.

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About the ASPCA^®
The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) believes every animal deserves to live free from suffering. For 160 years, we’ve been on the frontlines to save, transform and protect millions of lives in the fight against animal cruelty. As the nation’s first and leading animal welfare organization, we assist animals in need through on-the-ground disaster and cruelty interventions, behavioral rehabilitation, animal relocation and placement, legal and legislative advocacy, and the advancement of the sheltering and veterinary communities through research, training and resources. As a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit corporation with more than 2 million supporters nationwide, our commitment to eliminating animal cruelty is unwavering. For more information visit aspca.org, and follow the ASPCA on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and TikTok.

About Rhode Island SPCA
Founded in 1870, the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RISPCA) is the oldest nonprofit animal welfare organization in Rhode Island and the third oldest in the United States. As a 501(c)(3) organization, the RISPCA is committed to advocating for animals, providing adoption and rehoming services, veterinary care, humane education, and support to pet owners. As the only organization in Rhode Island authorized to investigate and prosecute cases of animal cruelty, the RISPCA plays a crucial role in protecting the welfare of animals across the state. For more information visit www.rispca.org and follow us on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok.

About the Potter League for Animals
The Potter League for Animals is committed to making a difference in the lives of animals. We advocate for the humane treatment of all animals and provide shelter and care for lost or companion animals in need of homes. Through community education and by fostering relationships between people and animals, we enhance the animals' future and enrich the human experience. Established in 1929, the Potter League for Animals is Rhode Island’s most comprehensive animal welfare organization and leading animal resource center, serving pets and people in Rhode Island and beyond. Each year, the Potter League serves thousands of animals and delivers tens of thousands of services through lifesaving veterinary care, sheltering, adoption, training, education, and community support programs. Our facilities include the Potter League Animal Care & Adoption Center in Middletown, RI, and the Potter League Spay & Neuter Clinic in Warwick, RI. For more information, visit www.potterleague.org or call 401-846-0592.