Big news from Sacramento! Beginning January 1, 2026, five pieces of legislation that were sponsored or supported by the San Francisco SPCA will go into effect. These laws will expand access to veterinary care, empower veterinary teams, and shut down the cruel puppy mill pipeline into California once and for all.
These victories were made possible through Shelter PALS, our advocacy initiative, and the collaboration of animal welfare organizations and compassionate lawmakers across California.
Expanding access to veterinary care
As part of our 2025 legislative agenda, the SF SPCA co-sponsored two bills with the California Veterinary Medical Association and the San Diego Humane Society: AB 516 and SB 602. Both these bills were recently signed by Governor Gavin Newsom and are set to take effect in 2026:
- AB 516, authored by Assemblymember Kalra, helps improve access to care by clarifying which tasks Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants are permitted to perform under the law. By reducing regulatory confusion and acknowledging the wide range of skills these professionals bring, this bill empowers veterinary teams to serve more animals.
- SB 602, authored by Senator Cortese, allows RVTs to perform “wellness” appointments (such as administering vaccines and parasite prevention) under veterinary supervision, but without a veterinarian being physically present. This change will expand access to preventative care by increasing the number of shelters able to perform vaccination clinics, especially in communities where veterinary services are hard to find.
Shutting down the puppy mill pipeline
Beyond improving veterinary access, we’re also celebrating the signing of three crucial bills aimed at ending the flow of unethically bred puppies into California.
SB 312, AB 506, and AB 519 work together to:
- Increase transparency by requiring public access to health certificates for animals entering the state.
- Stop deceptive sales practices that mislead consumers about the origin and health of animals for sale.
- Ban retail sales by brokers who source from unethical breeders.
A year of legislative progress
From our third annual Animal Advocacy Day in April (where the SF SPCA and partners met with lawmakers to champion these bills) to the moment Governor Newsom signed them into law, this year has been a year of progress powered by collaboration and compassion.
The SF SPCA is proud to be part of creating a better future for animals and the people who love them. With these wins, California strengthens its position as a national leader in animal welfare and veterinary access.
Want to learn more about our animal advocacy efforts? Our CEO, Dr. Jennifer Scarlett, and Bruce Wagman, Keith C. Wetmore Shelter PALS Special Counsel at the SF SPCA, were recently interviewed by HumanePro about Shelter PALS and how we support shelters and rescues across California. Read the full Q&A here.