We have exciting news for animals across California.
On September 26, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Senate Bill 1233 into law—a landmark piece of legislation that will dramatically expand access to affordable spay and neuter services for pet owners throughout the state.
What SB 1233 does
Authored by Senator Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita), SB 1233 authorizes California veterinary schools to develop high-quality, high-volume spay/neuter certificate programs. This means more veterinary professionals will be trained specifically in these vital procedures, significantly increasing the availability of low-cost and no-cost spay/neuter services for communities that need them most.
The bill initially focuses on Western University of Health Sciences College of Veterinary Medicine, but opens the door for other California veterinary schools to create similar programs, multiplying the impact across the state.
Why this matters
California is facing a pet overpopulation crisis, and access to affordable veterinary care has reached critical levels. By training more veterinarians in specialized, high-volume spay/neuter techniques, SB 1233 directly addresses this challenge. More trained professionals means:
- More pets can be spayed and neutered
- Reduced burden on shelters and rescue organizations
- Better outcomes for animals and communities statewide
Building on progress
The SF SPCA proudly supported SB 1233 as part of our ongoing commitment to expanding access to veterinary care. This bill continues the momentum from successful 2023 legislation we backed, including:
- Assembly Bill 1399: Authorized veterinary telemedicine practice in California
- Senate Bill 669: Allowed Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) to administer essential vaccines and medications
Together, these initiatives represent meaningful progress toward solving California’s access-to-care crisis.
What’s next
SB 1233 takes effect on January 1, 2025. We’re grateful to Governor Newsom, Senator Wilk, and all the lawmakers who recognized the urgent need for this legislation and voted to support California’s animals.
This is a significant step forward that will help countless pets and families across our state. Learn more about our advocacy efforts here.