Assemblymember Richard Bloom (D-Santa Monica) along with Wendy Carrillo (D-Los Angeles) and Cottie Petrie-Norris (D-Laguna Beach) were joined at the Capitol by “Lennon” and “Skipper,” two greyhound dogs rescued from one of California’s two “closed colony” dog blood banks, to share details of their experiences as captive involuntary blood donors at a commercial animal blood bank.
“Today we have new evidence that raises serious questions about the health and welfare of dogs like Lennon and Skipper,” said Assemblymember Bloom. “California is a world leader in its humane policies and treatment of animals. I have every confidence that working together in good faith with California’s veterinarians, we can chart a course to better balance the welfare of donor and recipient dogs and the need for a robust, healthy, safe blood supply.”
California is the only state in the country that prohibits the sale of animal blood for use by veterinarians unless the blood was collected from animals held in captivity. Assembly Bill 366 would modernize California law to reflect the advancements in veterinary medicine by phasing out these so-called “closed colonies” where dogs are kept in institutional settings, in cages and kennels. AB 366 would also authorize the commercial sale of dog blood that is collected through volunteer donor programs, much in the way humans donate blood.
Assembly Bill 366 is sponsored by the Rescue and Freedom Project. The bill is pending in the Assembly Agriculture committee, where it is set for a hearing and vote on April 10, 2019.
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