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OLYMPIA - The ASPCA^® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals^®) commends Washington Gov. Bob Ferguson for signing H.B. 2247 into law, permitting veterinarians to use telemedicine technology to deliver safe, effective and convenient veterinary appointments for new and existing patients. Sponsored by Reps. Lisa Parshley and Debra Lekanoff, H.B. 2247 allows veterinarians to establish a veterinarian-client-patient relationship using telehealth under certain circumstances, which will help more Washington families access care for their pets. The new law will go into effect on July 1, 2027.

The U.S. is facing 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, and according to the Veterinary Care Accessibility Score, Washington scores a mere 44 out of 100 in access to veterinary care. Human healthcare has long relied on safe and convenient telehealth technology to help bridge gaps in care caused by workforce shortages, and telehealth is 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.

"Lack of access to veterinary care is one of the top reasons families are forced to make the heartbreaking decision to relinquish their pet to a shelter. By increasing access to veterinary telemedicine, H.B. 2247 will help keep pets in loving homes, reduce stress for pets and owners alike, and alleviate animal suffering in Washington," said Brittany Benesi, ASPCA senior director of state legislation for the Western Division. "The ASPCA is grateful to Representatives Lisa Parshley and Debra Lekanoff for championing this legislation, and we thank Governor Ferguson for signing this important bill into law to ensure more pets can access critical veterinary care at a time when it is needed most."

"No family should have to watch their pet suffer from a treatable condition," said the bill's primary author, Representative Lisa Parshley, DVM. "With the governor's signature, Washington pet owners in rural areas, veterinary deserts, who lack transportation, have mobility issues, or who otherwise struggle to access veterinary care, will be able to have their pets seen by Washington-licensed veterinarians via telehealth when they need it most."

According to a 2025 PetSmart Charities-Gallup poll, more than half of pet owners report having to forego necessary veterinary care, and a new ASPCA survey revealed that 4 in 10 pet owners aren't sure they have the resources to meet even their pet's routine medical needs. H.B. 2247 makes veterinary care more accessible by increasing the tools available to licensed Washington veterinarians for delivering veterinary care to pets in need.

With the signing of H.B. 2247, Washington joins the 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, and Virginia.

For more information about the ASPCA, or to join the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade, please visit www.aspca.org.