The era of captive “blood slave” donor dogs is about to end and can force major changes in the way life-saving animals collect blood in California. But only if the governor has signed a fierce bill to his desk.

Currently, only “closed colony” commercial blood banks are allowed to operate in the Golden State. One of the country’s largest garden glove hemopets rescues Greyhound from the racing industry, stays in the field for over a year, and taps veins every few weeks to find a permanent home.

Hemopet, a non-profit organization, generated $ 3.9 million in revenue from blood product sales in 2019, according to tax returns.

Critics say this practice is cruel, outdated, and inhumane, and has pushed California to adopt a human-style blood donation system for animals for years. Hemopet founder Jean Dods argued that closed colonies ensure animal health and blood safety, and said Greyhound was well-treated.

In other states, community-based clinics have allowed pets to draw blood from pets for decades with little drama, leaving California as the only state in the country in need of a closed colony. increase. Parliamentary Bill 1282, California Pet Bloodbank Modernization Act, Will change that. Veterinarians set up a local blood bank, allowing healthy neighborhood dogs and cats to step into the gaps left by captive Greyhound and return home with a treat. It departed the Senate on Wednesday, September 1.

“This is a three-year effort to reform animal welfare policy and is now one step away from implementation. One of the authors of the bill, Congressman Richard Bloom of D-Santa Monica, said in a statement that we We are pleased that we are finally on the verge of replacing long-standing inhumane practices with model programs.

The effort was bipartisan, with Senate Republican leaders Scott Wilk and R-Santa Clarita as other co-authors. “As they say, the third time is fascinating,” Wilk said in a statement. “This has been postponed for a long time and is a necessary reform for commercial animal blood banks. It’s nice to see this life-saving change finally enacted.”

The closed colony did not disappear immediately, nor could it disappear. Hemopet and its major competitor Animal Blood Resources International offer most of the veterinary blood products available in the United States. The bill will revoke the license 18 months after the data show that a collection of volunteers produces as much blood as a closed colony.

Shannon Keith of the Beagle Freedom Project is confident that Governor Gavin Newsom will sign the bill. In 2019, Newsom rejected previous efforts because it had no schedule to phase out closed colonies, but the bill does.

“I see things going well,” she said. “We have already joined major veterinary clinics and humanitarian societies to take action and start the volunteer blood banking process. In the past we have faced blood shortages and have to use dogs in the clinics. Like any other clinic that didn’t, they’re excited about it. “

Judy Mankuzo, the founder and president of social mercy in legislation, is also at the forefront of this effort.

“After three years of working on the opening of a community blood bank for animals and the phasing out of storage of caged dog blood slaves in California, we unanimously passed the bill. I’m delighted with the Senate who voted … I’m looking forward to Governor Newsum signing this and opening up new businesses in the state while treating animals humanely, “Manxo said in a statement.

Regional blood banks will be licensed from January 1, 2022, and the California Department of Food and Agriculture will manage a new licensing program and collect data on blood production from both types of blood banks in legislation. Legal affairs for social compassion.

Before that, he said, it is expected that closed colonies will voluntarily move to community collections. Hemopet and ABRI officials did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Others who have signed the bill are Congressman Kevin Marin, D-San Mateo, Devon Masis, R-Visalia, and Chad Maze, I-Yucca Valley.

Bill that would eliminate ‘blood slave’ donor dogs in California on way to governor’s desk – San Bernardino Sun Source link Bill that would eliminate ‘blood slave’ donor dogs in California on way to governor’s desk – San Bernardino Sun

Original Article: California News Times