Frequently Asked Questions

If shelters are providing veterinary care, they are practicing veterinary medicine. The California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, Business and Professions Code, section 4826 defines the practice of veterinary medicine as diagnosing, prescribing, and treating of / for an animal for the prevention, cure, relief of a wound, fracture, bodily injury, or disease, and includes the performance of any surgical or dental operation, and these procedures therefore fall under the jurisdiction of the Veterinary Medical Board.

Animal control shelters are regulated under the California Food and Agriculture Code and the California Civil and Penal Codes, and city, county and/or city/county animal control shelters and/or their agencies are mandated to provide "necessary and prompt veterinary medical care to animals housed in an animal control shelter" to care for adoptable animals and protect the public good.

The "necessary and prompt" veterinary medical care provided within city, county and/or city/county animal control shelters and/or their agencies to protect the public good without a California licensed veterinarian present is limited to basic care to prevent spread of disease and to protect the public and the animals within protocols developed in conjunction with a California licensed veterinarian. All other on-going and regular veterinary medical care must be provided by or under the supervision of a licensed California veterinarian.

No. Senate Bill 1785 of 1998, also known as the Hayden bill, declares that animal control shelters are involuntary depositaries. It is the opinion of the Board that animal control shelters are not the bona fide owner of the animals and therefore, not exempt from the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act. This opinion is derived from the amendments the Hayden bill made to certain sections of the Civil and Penal Codes. (Civil Code sections 1815, 1816, 1834, 1845, 1846, 1847, and 2080, and Penal Code section 597.1).

Yes. Shelters are required to keep records as specified under Food and Agricultural Code, section 32003. This section requires that medical record keeping requirements established by the Veterinary Medical Board and additional record keeping requirements listed in section 32003 must be met.

No. Only California licensed veterinarians may perform surgeries.

Yes. The Veterinary Medical Board does not consider micro-chipping to be the practice of veterinary medicine. Therefore, it can be performed by either an RVT or veterinary assistant.

Yes, Business and Professions Code, section 4840 provides a specific exemption stating that an RVT may perform health care services on those animals impounded by a state, county, city, or city and county agency pursuant to the direct order, written order, or telephonic order of a veterinarian licensed or authorized to practice in this state.

Yes. An RVT can perform emergency procedures on animals, but with limitations. As defined in Business and Professions Code, section 4840.5, an emergency situation means that the animal has been placed in a life-threatening condition where immediate treatment is necessary. California Code of Regulations, Title 16, section 2069 clearly specifies what limited treatments an RVT may perform after direct communication with a licensed veterinarian. If direct communication cannot be established, the RVT may perform these limited treatments only in accordance with written instructions established by the facility's veterinarian.

Yes. Euthanasia can be performed at an animal control shelter. Absent the presence of a veterinarian, euthanasia may only be performed using sodium pentobarbital. The parameters for performing euthanasia in a shelter are outlined in Business and Profession Code, section 4827(d), and in the California Code of Regulations, section 2039.

Yes. Any veterinarian or RVT that has reasonable cause to believe that an animal has been the victim of abuse or cruelty or that the injuries or death of a dog was due to a staged fight is required by Business and Professions Code, sections 4830.5 and 4830.7 to promptly report it to enforcement authorities. A licensee does not incur civil liability (they are immune from law suits) as a result of the report. Failure to make such required reports may result in disciplinary action by the Veterinary Medical Board.

Yes. Certain species of wildlife can be treated, but only for necessary veterinary care. Per California Code of Regulations (Fish and Game), Title 14, section 679, you must contact the California Department of Fish and Game within 48 hours of finding or confining such wildlife for additional information and guidance on disposition or placing the animal / bird in an approved wildlife rehabilitation facility. Contact information is under "Fish & Game Dept" in the state pages of the phone book or at www.dfg.ca.gov.

Yes. Per Business and Professions Code, section 4826.2 the possession of one of these animals is lawful but only for the period of time that veterinary treatment is necessary. However, the wild animal cannot be adopted out. Contact the California Department of Fish and Game for disposition.

Yes. The Veterinary Medical Board's website is www.vmb.ca.gov and contains information on a wide variety of related topics, including consumer issues, shelter issues, forms and publications, licensing, and links to websites for ordering the California Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, searching California laws and regulations, and more. If you cannot find the answer to your question online, you may call (916) 515-5220 or email the Veterinary Medical Board at VMB@dca.ca.gov