For several years, California has been struggling with a critical veterinary shortage which has had real consequences for pets and those who love them.
Thankfully, two new state laws were just enacted to help address this lack of access, ensuring more pets can live healthy lives.
Following the many successes of human telemedicine, Assembly Bill 1399 paves the way for veterinary telemedicine. The law permits licensed veterinarians to engage in telemedicine consultations, allowing them to diagnose, prescribe medications and offer guidance remotely. This will be especially helpful in underserved areas where traditional veterinary clinics may be scarce and at animal shelters that don’t have a veterinarian on staff. It also allows nervous and stressed pets to be seen from the comfort of their own home.
According to the San Francisco SPCA, prior to the passage of this law, “veterinarians weren’t even allowed to give simple advice to pet guardians through telemedicine unless they brought their animals into the veterinary hospital. The law required veterinarians to conduct a new in-person examination each time that an animal (even a regular patient of the vet) has a new veterinary problem, including minor and common ailments or for routine prescriptions.”
The law includes safeguards to ensure telemedicine is used appropriately and that in-person visits are recommended when necessary. California joins four other states in allowing veterinary telemedicine and we’re hopeful the trend will spread across the country.
A second law, Senate Bill 669, allows trained registered veterinary technicians (RVTs) to administer vaccines under the indirect (off-site) supervision of a licensed veterinarian. This means RVTs can administer vaccines at mobile community clinics, expanding access to vaccines and providing crucial services to some of California’s most vulnerable pets.
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Marin Humane hosts regular free mobile clinics for the pets of those who are struggling but until now, these efforts were somewhat hampered by the requirement that any animal needing a rabies vaccine would have to be examined by a veterinarian first. That sometimes translated into long wait times and less time for the on-site veterinarian to examine animals that may need more attention.
Under the new law, RVTs will undergo enhanced educational programs, covering a broader range of diagnostic, surgical and therapeutic procedures. The legislation also introduces a state-sanctioned certification process to ensure that veterinary technicians meet rigorous competency standards.
According to the UC Davis Koret Shelter Medicine Program, “Both bills, now laws, are crucial to confronting the veterinarian shortage and access to care crisis affecting animal shelters and communities throughout California, especially for areas that have long lacked affordable — or any— vet care options. By enabling RVTs to provide vaccines and parasite prevention at wellness clinics without a DVM present, as well as allowing the practice of veterinary telemedicine, these laws give shelters more options for providing essential care to animals in the shelter and community.”
Marin Humane staff and volunteers joined the San Francisco SPCA, the Humane Society of the United States, CalAnimals and the ASPCA last April to lobby for these bills and others at the state capital, meeting with legislators as part of Animal Advocacy Day. The goal of this annual event is to spotlight legislative initiatives benefiting animals and animal welfare organizations, as well as pets and their families.
The next Animal Advocacy Day is scheduled for April 16, and we welcome the participation of those interested. For more information, email Nancy McKenney at [email protected].
Lisa Bloch is the marketing and communications director for Marin Humane, which contributes Tails of Marin and welcomes animal-related questions and stories about the people and animals in our community. Go to marinhumane.org, find us on social media @marinhumane or email [email protected].
