The San Francisco SPCA designed and is sponsoring two critical pieces of legislation to address California’s veterinary care shortage: Assembly Bill 516 (AB 516) and Senate Bill 602 (SB 602). These bills will help expand access to veterinary care statewide, and particularly for animals in shelters and in under-resourced communities, by ensuring that veterinary teams can work more efficiently and effectively.
AB 516: Maximizing the role of veterinary technicians and assistants
Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs) and veterinary assistants are essential members of the veterinary care team, supporting veterinarians in shelters, clinics, and hospitals across California. However, a misunderstanding of the legal landscape has led to confusion and unnecessary restrictions on their scope of practice, preventing them from fully utilizing their skills.
AB 516, authored by Assemblymember Kalra and sponsored by the SF SPCA, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and the San Diego Humane Society, clarifies that RVTs and veterinary assistants can perform any task that is not explicitly prohibited by law. This bill:
- Ensures RVTs can perform dental care procedures, including extractions, under a veterinarian’s supervision.
- Reduces inefficiencies caused by legal misinterpretation, allowing veterinary teams to operate at full capacity.
- Helps alleviate the strain on California’s veterinary workforce, addressing the widespread shortage of veterinarians in shelters and private clinics.
A 2023 UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program survey found that 25% of California’s animal shelters lack adequate veterinary staffing, and 64% struggle to meet basic medical needs. By passing AB 516, the legislature can help ensure that qualified veterinary professionals will have increased capacity to provide the care they are trained for, improving outcomes for pets and their families.
SB 602: Expanding vital community services in shelters
Many shelters in California provide essential low-cost veterinary services, especially in under-resourced communities. However, these shelters often struggle to meet community needs due to a shortage of veterinarians. Under current law, RVTs are permitted to work at remote clinics without a veterinarian present, but this flexibility does not extend to all shelter environments—limiting their ability to offer routine care like vaccinations and parasite control treatments.
SB 602, authored by Senator Cortese and sponsored by the SF SPCA, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and the San Diego Humane Society, aims to close this gap by:
- Allowing RVTs to perform vaccine and parasite control “wellness” appointments in shelters and community clinics under veterinary supervision, but without requiring a veterinarian to be physically present.
- Ensuring RVTs have access to emergency drugs and protocols, maintaining high safety standards.
- Increasing vaccination rates and reducing disease transmission to improve public health.
By empowering RVTs to provide these critical services, SB 602 will help ensure that more pets receive the care they need, particularly in communities with limited access to veterinary services.
The SF SPCA urges lawmakers to pass AB 516 and SB 602 to help shelters, clinics, and hospitals provide better care for California’s pets. These changes will not only support veterinary professionals but also ensure that more animals receive the medical attention they need to live long, healthy lives.
Join us in advocating for these important reforms! Stay informed and learn how to support AB 516 and SB 602 by visiting our advocacy page.