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Senator Scott Wilk’s Bill Allowing Pet Blood Donations One Step Closer To Senate Vote

Senator Scott Wilk, R-Santa Clarita, announced Wednesday that Senate Bill 202 (SB 202) seeking to allow pet blood donations has cleared the Senate Judiciary Committee, officials said.

SB 202, also known as the Doggy Donor Bill, would allow private pet owners to donate their animal’s blood to banks to help pets in need, according to officials.    

“Every day, pets turn up in the veterinarian’s office in need of blood,” Wilk said. “Some have been hit by a car, (have eaten) something they shouldn’t or are just plain sick. The reality is, the blood supply for pets is woefully inadequate and that needs to change.”

The bill is now set to be heard by the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee before a vote on the Senate floor, according to Wilk’s office.

Existing law has led to a relatively limited regulatory scheme for animal blood banks — leading the California Department of Food and Agriculture only to approve commercial licensure for closed-colony banks, which house dogs and cats for the specific purpose of taking their blood.

Every other state in the country already allows for flexibility in this matter, and this bill is expected to bring California in line with the rest of the nation.

“California is the only state in the nation that does not allow community-based blood donations. SB 202 will update our law to ensure a more robust supply of blood and humane treatment of the donor animals,” said Wilk. “Human blood donors go home to their families after donating; animal donors should be treated the same way. California is woefully behind the rest of the nation on this matter, which is why I introduced the Doggy Donor Bill.”

Animal blood banks serve an important role in California’s veterinary medical community, but have lacked in supply in recent years, leading to a shortage in blood, according to officials.

Opening up the market to community-based blood banks — which allow private pet owners to volunteer their animals for donation — would reportedly help to curb this shortage and keep pets around the state healthy and happy.

“SB 202 will ensure there are more animal donors in the system, which means the blood donation supply will increase,” Wilk said. “No one should lose a pet because blood couldn’t be located.”

If Senate Bill 202 passes the Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee, it will head to the Senate floor, and then the Assembly.


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Senator Scott Wilk’s Bill Allowing Pet Blood Donations One Step Closer To Senate Vote

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About Louie Diaz

Louie was born and raised in Santa Clarita. At the age of two Louie lost his vision due to a brain tumor. However, Louie doesn't let blindness stop him from doing what ever it is he wants to accomplish. Growing up some of his favorite hobbies were wood working, fishing and riding bikes. Louie graduated from College of the Canyon in December of 2017, with a Broadcast Journalism degree. Growing up Louie has always wanted to be a fire fighter or a police officer, but because of his blindness Louie knew that wouldn't work. Louie has always loved listening to police and fire radio traffic, using a scanner, and he figured if he was going to listen to the scanner so much, he should do something with it.