Victor Valley Times

Senator Scott Wilk of Santa Clarita has successfully steered his bill through the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development. The bill aims to tackle the issue of overcrowding in animal shelters across California by expanding access to low and no-cost spay/neuter services.

"Overcrowding at California’s animal shelters, especially in the High Desert, has been at crisis levels for too long. Animals are being put down through no fault of their own, and we have a responsibility to do something about it," expressed Senator Wilk regarding the dire situation in animal shelters.

Senator Wilk further emphasized the importance of the bill by stating, "Creating a larger pool of veterinarians qualified to perform faster spay/neuter services will alleviate shelters, stop unnecessary deaths, and make it easier to find loving homes for pets in need."

The proposed legislation, Senate Bill 1233 (SB 1233), sets the groundwork for a High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter (HQHVSN) certification program at California's accredited veterinary schools. This program, a first-in-the-nation initiative, focuses on a minimally invasive surgical technique that allows for a higher volume of spay and neuter procedures to be conducted at reduced or no cost.

The current challenges faced by California's animal shelters stem from a shortage of veterinarians available to perform spay and neuter surgeries. A study conducted by UC Davis in 2021 estimated that approximately 150,000 dogs and cats in California remain un-spayed or un-neutered each year.

The impact of overcrowding and euthanasia is particularly severe in the Antelope and Victor Valleys. The Victor Valley Animal Protective League, a long-standing institution, had to halt its operations last year. Additionally, the shelters in the Antelope Valley, managed by LA County, were initially established to alleviate the crisis but now report the highest rates of dog euthanasia among county facilities.

With the successful passage of the bill through the Senate Committee on Business, Professions, and Economic Development, it now progresses to the Senate Appropriations Committee for further consideration.