Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Thursday that Senate Bill 202 (SB 202) on animal blood donors unanimously passed the state legislature and is now heading to the governor’s office for approval.

SB 202 would expand the available commercial animal blood donor pool to include community-sourced donors, according to Wilk’s office.

“We are now only a signature away from saving pets’ lives,” Wilk said. “SB 202 allows community animals — like Governor Newsom’s dog, Max, or my two pups, AV and Simi, to donate blood. California currently has a woefully inadequate supply of animal blood, and SB 202 will make a real difference when our pets are in need.”

A robust blood supply is necessary to save animal lives in cases of serious injury, illness or disease, according to officials.

Due to the restrictive nature of California’s regulatory laws on animal blood donation, there are currently only two commercial blood banks in the state. As a result, officials say that veterinarians are running out of blood to use in their practices when an animal is in need.

SB 202 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, which officials noted is not too differently from how people give blood.

“Increasing 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. “When the governor looks at Max, I hope he will see the importance of signing this bill into law. Our pets are like family members, and to lose your dog or cat because of a lack of available blood — a totally preventable situation — would be heartbreaking.”

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

Social Compassion in Legislation is the sponsor of this legislation. The California Veterinary Medical Association and the California Veterinary Medical Board are also in support of the bill.

The bill now heads to Governor Gavin Newsom’s office for approval, according to officials.

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