California veterinarians will now be able to operate community-sourced donor blood banks, similar to the voluntary model used for people. This will help increase the supply available for pets in emergencies while also addressing the welfare issues around captive donor dogs. A huge win-win for animals in California!
California was the only state still requiring blood used in veterinary hospitals to come from caged animals. At two privately owned facilities that held a monopoly on the market, greyhounds were kept in cages for years for the sole purpose of collecting their blood. The SF SPCA Shelter PALS team spent more than three years working alongside other advocates for legislation to end this inhumane practice, and earlier this month Governor Newsom signed AB 1282 into law!
“We’ve had significant blood shortages in California veterinary hospitals for many years, so the current system isn’t working,” explained Brandy Kuentzel, SF SPCA Senior Vice President of Advocacy and Public Policy, and General Counsel. “This new model, which is already used successfully in all other states, will help alleviate the blood shortage while ensuring the safety and welfare for both the donor and recipient animals.”
AB 1282 will reduce the suffering of many animals and the people who love them. The SF SPCA would especially like to thank Assemblymember Richard Bloom for championing this legislation, and Governor Newsom for signing it into law.
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