Assembly Bill 516, authored by State Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Senate Bill 602, authored by State Senator Dave Cortese will expand access to care for California pets
San Francisco, CA—The San Francisco SPCA celebrated another successful legislative session this year, with both bills sponsored by the organization being signed into law by Governor Gavin Newsom. As a result, more animals will have access to critical care services, making for safer, healthier pets across California.
Both Assembly Bill 516 (AB 516), authored by State Assemblymember Ash Kalra (D-San José), and Senate Bill 602 (SB 602), authored by State Senator Dave Cortese (D-Silicon Valley), were passed by the State Legislature and officially enacted into law by Governor Newsom.
Both bills will expand the roles and duties of Registered Veterinary Technicians (RVTs)— licensed professionals who provide medical care for animals under the supervision of a veterinarian.
“Because of the ongoing veterinary shortage in California, many of our state’s most vulnerable animals are unable to access critical services and care,” said SF SPCA CEO Dr. Jennifer Scarlett. “By empowering our highly skilled RVTs to take on certain tasks and responsibilities, we are freeing up our veterinarians to address the most crucial needs of the day. This makes the public safer and our animals healthier. I want to thank our amazing partners, Assemblymember Kalra and Senator Cortese, for their leadership on this advance in care, and Governor Newsom, for signing these bills into law.”
AB 516 will significantly expand the tasks that RVTs and veterinary assistants perform while working for a veterinarian. It clarifies that RVTs and veterinary assistants are able to perform any and all tasks not forbidden by law, giving their supervising veterinarians more time to perform other critical procedures, like surgeries.
“I am grateful Governor Newsom has signed AB 516! By clarifying the scope of practice for RVTs, we can create a critical pathway toward addressing veterinary care shortages in California,” said Assemblymember Kalra. “Thank you to our partners for their advocacy and work to bring this bill across the finish line.”
SB 602 will allow RVTs in designated animal care facilities to conduct appointments providing basic but critical vaccination clinics and parasite control without their supervising veterinarian on the premises.
“By allowing shelters to hold more wellness and vaccination clinics, the new law reduces barriers to basic care for low-income pet owners,” said Senator Cortese. “The law is designed to combat the profound impact of the veterinary professional shortage on vulnerable animals. By maximizing the roles of veterinary staff, it opens up new paths to treat animals in need at most shelters.”
Working with the State Legislature, the SF SPCA helped craft the bills and usher them forward from concept to law, further establishing the organization as a strong and powerful advocate for animal welfare in Sacramento.
The SF SPCA worked collaboratively with other animal welfare organizations, such as bill co-sponsors San Diego Humane Society and the California Veterinary Medical Association, forging a key alliance with the group that represents almost 8000 veterinarians and 800 RVTs.
Last year, the SF SPCA supported a series of bills that were passed by lawmakers and approved by Governor Newsom. Those new laws made veterinary telemedicine available to all Californians, improved pet health across the state, and created a program to increase the availability of lifesaving spay-neuter surgery.
Earlier this year, the organization helped kick off the third annual Animal Advocacy Day, an important day of action in Sacramento featuring the California Animal Welfare Association (CalAnimals), San Diego Humane Society, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, Michelson Animal Foundation, the ASPCA, Humane World for Animals, and Valley Humane Society.
Both SB 602 and AB 516 will officially go into effect on January 1, 2026.
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About the San Francisco SPCA
The San Francisco SPCA is an independent, community-supported nonprofit animal welfare organization dedicated to saving, protecting, and providing immediate care for cats and dogs who are homeless, ill, or in need of an advocate. The SF SPCA also works long-term to educate the community, reduce the number of unwanted kittens and puppies through spaying and neutering, and improve the quality of life for animals and their human companions. The organization does not receive government funding.
For more information, visit sfspca.org