A campaign is underway in Latvia to gather signatures for establishing a state-funded 24-hour emergency veterinary care system due to the current lack of such services.
In Latvia, a public initiative has been launched on the platform 'Manabalss.lv' to collect signatures advocating for the establishment of a state-funded 24-hour emergency veterinary assistance system. Diana Mosure, representing the initiative, highlights the absence of a national-level organized and financed system that provides urgent veterinary aid. Currently, many pet owners face difficulties accessing timely veterinary help during nights, weekends, and holidays, which poses risks to their animals' health and lives.
Mosure expresses concerns over the lengthy travel times to the nearest clinics, with some located hours away, especially in emergency situations. She notes that this limitation endangers the wellbeing of pets and exacerbates the inequity in access to veterinary care. The existing emergency veterinary services are entirely reliant on private initiatives, lacking any government involvement or support, which she argues does not align with public interests regarding animal welfare.
The initiative seeks to amend regulations to clearly define the government's responsibility in providing round-the-clock emergency veterinary services. This call to action reflects a growing awareness and demand for better animal welfare policies in Latvia, highlighting the need for systemic support to ensure that all pets have access to essential medical care when they need it most.
