By Caroline Bulger

SB 1478 (Nguyen) (Chapter 192, Statutes of 2024), as amended April 17, 2024, provides guidance for licensed veterinarian orders to a registered veterinary technician (RVT) for health care services performed on impounded animals in a public shelter.

The bill is designed to address medical care provided to a growing number of pets living in California animal shelters. In 2023 alone, over 500,000 dogs and cats entered 232 animal shelters. Currently, there is no standard for what constitutes reasonable and efficient protocols for the management of shelter animals. This bill establishes a standard to assist shelters in ensuring adequate care.

RVTs perform various support tasks under the direct supervision of a veterinarian. These tasks include pre- and post-surgery tasks like inducing anesthesia and everyday tasks like drawing blood. In California, an RVT employed at an animal shelter can perform certain tasks under “indirect” supervision if they have been given a “direct order” by a licensed veterinarian.

Under SB 1478, direct orders may include: (1) time periods by which an animal must be assessed at intake and monitored while in custody; (2) protocols to address the treatment of common medical conditions in impounded animals; (3) protocols for controlling infectious and zoonotic diseases and for preventing environmental contamination; (4) protocols for controlling the acute pain of an impounded animal; (5) requirements for communication between the RVT and the supervising veterinarian; and (6) euthanasia criteria for medically related cases.

The Veterinary Medical Board of California (VMB) discussed and unanimously voted to support SB 1478 during its April 17, 2024, meeting. At that time, SB 1478 was set for a hearing in the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development. Governor Newsom signed SB 1478 on August 19, 2024.