Last reviewed: July 01, 2026

This document explains how Joii provides remote veterinary care, the difference between telehealth and telemedicine, the US states in which a vet–client–patient relationship may be established online, the conditions that apply in those states, and the terms on which you give your informed consent to virtual care.

This document is provided for general information and to support informed consent. It is not legal advice. The veterinary laws of your state take precedence over anything described here, and your Joii vet will confirm what is possible in your location before any treatment. Several of the rules referred to below were enacted or amended during 2025–2026 and have staggered effective dates; where anything here conflicts with the current requirements in your state, those state requirements apply.

1. Definitions

1.1 Telehealth. The use of technology to deliver veterinary information, education or guidance remotely, where no formal treating relationship with a specific animal is created. As used by Joii, telehealth comprises teleadvice and teletriage.

1.2 Teleadvice. General guidance and information that is not specific to an individual animal. Because it does not constitute a diagnosis, it does not require a vet–client–patient relationship.

1.3 Teletriage. A timely assessment of the urgency of an animal's situation and of whether the animal should be referred for emergency or in-person care. Teletriage is not a diagnosis or a treatment plan and does not require a vet–client–patient relationship.

1.4 Telemedicine. The remote practice of veterinary medicine for a specific animal, including evaluation, diagnosis, treatment and, where appropriate, prescribing. Telemedicine may only take place within an established vet–client–patient relationship.

1.5 Vet–client–patient relationship (VCPR). The formal relationship that must exist before a vet may diagnose, treat or prescribe for an animal. It requires that the vet has assumed responsibility for the animal's care, holds sufficient knowledge of the animal to reach at least a preliminary diagnosis, and is available for follow-up. Most US states require an in-person examination to establish a VCPR for the first time.

1.6 Electronic VCPR (eVCPR). A VCPR established by electronic means, typically a live, two-way video examination, without a prior in-person examination. Only certain states permit a VCPR to be established this way.

1.7 A note on wording: in some state laws, "telehealth" is used as an umbrella term that also includes telemedicine. For clarity, Joii groups its services into the two categories set out in sections 2 and 3.

2. Telehealth services

2.1 Telehealth services (teleadvice and teletriage) provide information and guidance without creating a treating relationship with your pet.

2.2 Because these services do not involve diagnosing or prescribing for your specific animal, they do not require a VCPR and are available to you regardless of your location.

3. Telemedicine services

3.1 Telemedicine is the remote practice of veterinary medicine for your specific pet. Unlike telehealth, it may only take place once a VCPR exists.

3.2 Establishing the relationship. Where state law permits a VCPR to be established online (an eVCPR), Joii may begin caring for your pet entirely remotely. Where state law does not permit this, telemedicine remains available, but only after an in-person examination has established the VCPR.

3.3 States in which a VCPR may be established online

As at the review date of this document, the following ten US jurisdictions permit a VCPR to be established through telemedicine rather than requiring an in-person examination first:

• Arizona (subject to the note below)
• California
• District of Columbia
• Florida
• Idaho
• New Jersey
• New York (subject to the note below)
• Rhode Island
• Vermont
• Virginia

Arizona. Arizona already permits a vet to obtain sufficient knowledge of an animal through a real-time audio-video examination. A broader telemedicine and prescribing framework takes effect on 12 September 2026, and the Arizona conditions set out in section 3.4 apply from that date.

New York. New York does not set out a VCPR requirement in statute. The description of a VCPR exists only in non-binding State Board guidelines, which is why New York is commonly grouped with states permitting online establishment. As this rests on guidance rather than law, it should be confirmed against the Board's current position before being relied upon.

In all other states, Joii may provide telehealth (teleadvice and teletriage) but may not establish a treating relationship or prescribe for your pet online until an in-person examination has taken place.

3.4 Conditions applying in each state

In the states that permit an online VCPR, the conditions differ, particularly as to how the examination must be conducted and what may be prescribed. The following summaries set out what applies in each.

Arizona (conditions effective 12 September 2026)

How the VCPR is established: through a real-time, audio-video examination.

Consent and transparency: you provide informed consent acknowledging that the same standard of care applies online as in person. The vet provides their name, licence number and contact details, together with an alternative means of contact, and advises that an in-person visit may be recommended and that the consultation may be ended at any time.

Prescribing:

• Most medicines: up to 30 days, renewable once for a further 30 days following another video examination.
• Antimicrobials: a single course of up to 14 days; no further course for the same condition without an in-person examination.
• Flea and tick products: up to 3 months, renewable once.
• Controlled substances: require an in-person examination.

California

How the VCPR is established: through synchronous (live) audio-video. It may not be established by audio-only contact or by questionnaire alone.

Consent and transparency: the vet explains the limitations of telehealth and obtains your consent, including that the same standard of care applies, that you may choose an in-person visit at any time, and how to obtain help in the event of an adverse reaction or technology failure. The vet provides their name, contact details and licence number.

Prescribing:

• Where the VCPR was established by video, no medicine may be prescribed for longer than 6 months from the examination, and the same medicine may not be re-prescribed without a further examination.
• Antimicrobials: up to 14 days; no refill for the condition without an in-person examination.
• Controlled substances and xylazine: require an in-person examination.
• You may use the pharmacy of your choice.

District of Columbia

How the VCPR is established: telehealth may be used to establish the relationship where this meets the applicable standard of care and the vet's scope of practice.

Consent and transparency: standard professional requirements apply, including identity verification, documentation, informed consent, privacy and confidentiality.

Prescribing: permitted in line with District of Columbia and federal requirements, including those applying to controlled substances.

Florida

How the VCPR is established: through a synchronous audio-video examination only. It may not be established by audio-only contact, text message, questionnaire or chatbot.

Consent and transparency: where the relationship is established by telehealth, the vet provides their name, licence number and contact details, the contact details of a physical clinic near you, follow-up instructions, and confirmation that you may use any pharmacy. You provide a signed and dated statement confirming receipt of this information.

Prescribing:

• Flea and tick products: up to 1 month.
• Other animal medicines: up to 14 days; telehealth-only prescriptions may not be renewed without an in-person examination.
• Human-use medicines and certain compounded antimicrobials: require an in-person examination.
• Controlled substances: require an in-person examination within the preceding year.
• Travel and inspection certificates may not be issued via telehealth.

Idaho

How the VCPR is established: by either an in-person or a virtual examination.

Consent and transparency: the vet obtains informed consent and ensures you are aware of their identity, location and licence status, and of the privacy and security considerations of online care. Consent and records are retained securely.

Prescribing: at the vet's professional discretion, subject to the same accountability as an in-person prescription and to all state and federal requirements. A VCPR is required for any controlled or prescription (legend) drug.

New Jersey

How the VCPR is established: through telemedicine using live, two-way audio-video. Audio combined with store-and-forward technology may be used only where the vet is satisfied that the in-person standard of care can be met without video.

Consent and transparency: the vet verifies your and your pet's identity, discloses their licence and credentials, reviews available history, and determines for each encounter whether telemedicine can meet the in-person standard of care. You are offered the option of having records shared with another provider and are given contact details reachable for at least 72 hours.

Prescribing:

• Permitted where it meets the in-person standard of care, and never on the basis of an online questionnaire alone.
• Schedule II controlled substances: require an initial in-person examination and an in-person visit at least every three months while prescribed.

New York

The following is based on non-binding State Board guidelines rather than statute and should be confirmed against the Board's current position before being relied upon.

How the VCPR is established: the guidelines describe a VCPR formed through a timely examination of the animal, without specifying that it must be in person.

Consent and transparency: standard professional and record-keeping expectations apply.

Prescribing: a VCPR is required and the medicine must be appropriate for the animal. A written prescription is provided on request and may be filled at the pharmacy of your choice. Medicines are not generally prescribed for more than one year from the examination without a re-examination.

Rhode Island (effective 23 June 2026)

How the VCPR is established: through synchronous, audio-video electronic means, by a Rhode Island–licensed vet.

Consent and transparency: the vet obtains your consent acknowledging that the same standards apply online and in person, and retains that record for at least one year. Providers must also publish a description of their services and standard charges on their website.

Prescribing:

• Initial prescriptions: up to 30 days, renewable for a further 30 days following another virtual or in-person examination.
• Once renewed, no further renewal without an in-person examination.
• Controlled substances: require an in-person examination.

Vermont

How the VCPR is established: the board considers whether the vet's knowledge of the animal is sufficient and reliable, rather than the technology used to obtain it. The vet uses professional judgement to determine when telemedicine is appropriate.

Consent and transparency: the vet takes appropriate steps to establish the relationship, obtains informed consent, and conducts evaluations consistent with accepted standards. Some cases are suitable for telemedicine and others require in-person care.

Prescribing: only a licensed vet with a valid VCPR may authorise or prescribe veterinary prescription drugs.

Virginia

How the VCPR is established: by an examination conducted either physically or through instrumentation and diagnostic equipment by which images and medical records are transmitted electronically.

Consent and transparency: the vet obtains a medical and drug history, explains the benefits and risks of any medicine, conducts an appropriate examination, and arranges follow-up care.

Prescribing:

• Schedule II–VI controlled substances may be prescribed via telemedicine where this complies with federal telemedicine requirements.
• For controlled substances, the prescriber must maintain a physical location in Virginia or be able to refer you for an in-person examination where the standard of care requires.

4. Your informed consent to telemedicine

When you use Joii for telemedicine in a state that permits it, you acknowledge and agree to the following. Your vet will confirm these matters with you before care begins.

4.1 The same standard of care applies to a virtual visit as to an in-person visit.

4.2 Your vet may determine that telemedicine is not appropriate for your pet's situation and may recommend an in-person examination.

4.3 Choosing a virtual visit does not remove your right to be seen in person at any time.

4.4 Federal and state requirements limit what may be prescribed following a virtual visit. Controlled substances in particular usually require an in-person examination.

4.5 Your vet will provide their name, licence details and contact information, and a means of contact for follow-up.

4.6 Your information is handled in accordance with applicable privacy laws, and records of your visit are retained.

4.7 Where a prescription is issued, you may have it filled at the pharmacy of your choice.

5. Changes to this document

State veterinary laws change, and this document reflects the position as at the review date shown at the top. Joii may update this document from time to time. Where anything in this document conflicts with the current requirements in your state, those state requirements apply.