SD Humane Society Sponsors 5 New Laws To Protect Animals, Boost Veterinary Care

SAN DIEGO, CA — Five animal welfare laws aimed at protecting pets while strengthening veterinary care statewide will take effect Jan. 1, San Diego Humane Society announced this week.

All of the bills were sponsored by San Diego Humane Society. Officials with the organization said the new laws are the result of lobbying efforts by a coalition of advocacy groups.

The new laws include:

• Closing The Pet Broker Loophole, AB 519, authored by Assemblyman Marc Berman, D-Palo Alto, bans California pet brokers or any entity that profits from the sale of animals bred by a third party from doing business in the state.
• Puppy Importation Transparency Act, SB 312, authored by Sen. Tom Umberg, D-Santa Ana, requires dog importers to electronically submit health certificates to the California Department of Food and Agriculture within 10 days of shipment.
• Protecting Pets from Predatory Practices, AB 506, authored by Assemblyman Steve Bennett, D-Oxnard, voids deceptive contracts used by online sellers, including those requiring non-refundable deposits or failing to disclose the animal's origin prior to purchase. It also mandates sellers refunding buyers within 30 days if a puppy becomes unavailable.
• Clarifying Veterinary Staff Duties, AB 516, authored by Assemblyman Ash Kalra, D-San Jose, allows registered veterinary technicians and assistants to perform any medical task not prohibited by law.
• Improving Shelter Veterinary Access, SB 602, authored by Sen. Dave Cortese, D-Silicon Valley, permits designated animal shelters to conduct essential veterinary appointments, such as vaccinations and parasite control, without requiring a supervising vet to be onsite.

These legislative victories reflect San Diego Humane Society's broader commitment to advancing humane, equitable and sustainable solutions for animals and the people who love them, according to Gary Weitzman, president and CEO of the organization.

"Our advocacy work is a vital part of ensuring the safety and wellbeing of animals across California," Weitzman said. "By shutting down exploitative puppy-mill pipelines and expanding access to veterinary care, we are addressing two of the most urgent challenges in animal welfare today."