State Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Tuesday that Senate Bill 202 on animal blood donation unanimously passed the Senate, and is now headed to the State Assembly.

SB 202 allows for the commercial use of animal blood from community-sourced donors, according to officials.

“California’s shortage of available blood for animals in need is putting our pets’ lives in danger,” Wilk said. “SB 202 allows community animals — like those you or I own — to donate blood.”

Currently, California only allows for the commercial licensing of closed-colony blood banks, which keep dogs and cats caged on premises for years on end to give blood, limiting the available blood supply, according to officials.

Because of this, there are currently only two commercial blood banks in the state, according to officials.

As a result, veterinarians are running out of blood to use in their practices when an animal is in need, according to Wilk.

If SB 202 becomes law it would allow privately-owned animals to donate blood under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian in order to guarantee a healthy supply of blood when other animals need it — not too differently from how people give blood, Wilk said.

“Improving the amount of blood in the donor system will save pets’ lives. I’m thankful to my colleagues for their support on this critical issue,” Wilk said. “I look forward to continuing this work to benefit the lives of beloved animals in our communities.”

SB 202 has support from many in the animal rights and veterinary community, according to officials.

Social Compassion in Legislation sponsored the bill, and the California Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Board are also in support of the bill.

“It is a compassionate solution to our woefully inadequate supply of animal blood,” Wilk said.

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