FACT SHEET:
TEMPORARY LICENSURE FOR VETERINARY SHELTER MEDICINE AND PET STERILIZATION SERVICES

SB 410 signed by Governor on April 23, 2024; effective date of July 1, 2024

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Sterilization of pets is the single most important strategy for limiting the excess numbers of dogs and cats in our state.  However, Georgia’s ongoing shortage of veterinary professionals has severely impacted access to low cost spay/neuter services, resulting in long wait lists for appointments and high shelter intakes of dogs and cats (~85% of animals are unaltered upon impound).

 

The GA Pet Coalition has made it a priority to help ameliorate veterinary staffing shortages by creating an expedited pathway for out-of-state vets and vet techs to practice in Georgia. 

 

Our legislation, SB 410, provides a six-month, temporary license for out-of-state vets and vet techs to practice in government or nonprofit shelter medicine, nonprofit sterilization clinics, or nonprofit mobile sterilization programs. 

 

Georgia must compete for veterinary professionals in a tight job market; temporary licensing lessens employment delays caused by bureaucratic requirements for an in-state license and will be especially helpful for recruiting veterinary professionals for relief work in areas near our state borders.

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THANK YOU to our lead sponsor, Senator Kay Kirkpatrick, and all 10 cosponsors!

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SB 410 Fact Sheet:

https://www.gapetcoalition.org/sb410-temporary-licensure-for-vets-vettechs 

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SB 410 (bill language begins on line 141):

https://www.legis.ga.gov/legislation/66397

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