Veterinarians: veterinarian-client-patient relationship.

Senator Cortese's veterinary medicine legislation modifies California's requirements for registered veterinary technicians administering preventive care at animal shelters and similar facilities. Under the amended provisions, technicians may provide vaccines and parasite medications at public animal control agencies, private shelters, humane societies, and animal cruelty prevention organizations when a supervising veterinarian is available by phone or in the general vicinity, rather than requiring the veterinarian's physical presence.

The measure establishes detailed protocols governing these expanded practice settings. Registered veterinary technicians must maintain emergency care equipment, obtain patient histories, conduct physical examinations, and document all treatments according to written procedures established by the supervising veterinarian. Before administering care, technicians must inform clients they are acting as the veterinarian's agent and record this disclosure in the patient file. The bill requires veterinarians to retain documentation of their supervisory relationship with technicians for three years after its termination, while patient records must be maintained for three years following the animal's last visit.

These provisions apply specifically to preventive services like vaccines and parasite control medications at qualifying shelter facilities. The measure preserves existing requirements that technicians obtain veterinary authorization and follow established protocols, while adjusting the proximity requirements to allow remote supervision in shelter settings. As part of the Veterinary Medicine Practice Act, violations constitute a criminal offense under California law.