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Cañones
CLÍNICA VETERINARIA
Active 2026 Legislation
Show support for Senate Bill 70, Senate Bill 115, and Senate Bill 111!
SB70- Utah Senate Bill 70 "Natural Disaster Amendments," proposes that each county, city, or town in Utah must include provisions in their emergency operations plans to accommodate personal animals during emergencies.
This initiative acknowledges the significant role pets play in many households and aims to ensure that individuals are not forced to abandon their animals during crises. By integrating pet accommodations into emergency planning, SB70 seeks to enhance public safety, promote compliance with evacuation orders, and support the emotional well-being of residents during emergencies.
SB115- Utah Senate Bill 115 "Child and Animal Abuse Cross-reporting Amendments," would improve coordination between child welfare and animal protection systems by creating new cross-reporting requirements. The bill directs courts to share information between cases of child abuse and animal abuse and expands the ability for agencies like local animal control and child welfare services to collaborate. It also includes protections for veterinarians and other professionals who report suspected animal cruelty in good faith.
SB111- Utah Senate Bill 111 "Veterinary Post-Employment Amendments" proposes changes to how post-employment restrictive covenants, like non-compete agreements, apply in the veterinary profession. The bill clarifies terms and limits on non-compete provisions in veterinary employment contracts to support workforce mobility and reduce barriers for veterinarians changing jobs or starting new practices. This update aims to reflect the unique nature of veterinary work and make employment terms more workable for animal health professionals in Utah.
Get a FREE Pet Emergency Sticker!
A pet emergency window sticker is a small decal placed on a home’s window or door to alert first responders during an emergency, such as a fire or natural disaster, that pets are inside.
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Passage of Senate Bill 120 (2025)
SB120- Utah Senate Bill 120 (SB0120), SB120, Controlled Substances Modifications, officially passed during the 2025 legislative session and was signed into law by Governor Cox. The bill establishes a clear exemption for licensed veterinarians when prescribing, administering, or dispensing gabapentin, a medication commonly used to treat pain and seizures in animals.
This change removes unnecessary administrative barriers, recognizes the distinct role of veterinary medicine, and ensures animals can receive timely, appropriate care. We’re grateful to the legislators, veterinary professionals, and advocates who helped make this update law.
Passage of Senate Bill 116 (2024)
In partnership with Senator Jen Plumb, Ruff Haven collaborated on an amendment to Senate Bill 116 to provide further protections for pets during an eviction.
On February 23, 2024, with a unanimous “yea” in the Senate, the Utah State Legislature passed an amendment to S.B. 116. This amendment to the current eviction laws lays out a quick response process for landlords and the animal control authority during an eviction/lockout for the pet residing in the home. Notice of where a pet is being taken will be required, as well as required release to an owner who is present onsite.
We want to thank Salt Lake County Animal Services, Animal Care of Davis County, Sandy City Animal Services, and the Rental Housing Association of Utah for speaking in favor of this bill. It's not often that you can get all parties impacted on board and unanimously pass good legislation. And of course, a giant thanks to Senator Jen Plumb for seeing the need for this language and sponsoring the bill.
Passage of House Bill 175 (2022)
Ruff Haven Crisis Sheltering se ha asociado con la Clínica Veterinaria Canyons para brindar atención médica y tratamiento de rutina a los animales de nuestro programa. Son una clínica veterinaria nueva y de vanguardia en Cottonwood Heights, propiedad de la Dra. Heather Moreau. Nos encanta su modelo de clínica pequeña y privada, que les permite brindar atención y tratamiento individualizados a cada animal. Pueden recibir resultados de análisis de sangre en minutos, ofrecer citas el mismo día y ofrecer servicios de entrega en caso de que no puede permanecer con su mascota para un chequeo o visita menor al veterinario. También ofrecen radiografía Full HD, dermatología, vacunas, cirugías de esterilización / castración y atención de emergencia / urgencia. ¡Estamos encantados de poder trabajar junto a ellos para proporcionar servicios veterinarios para nuestro programa!
Nos sentimos muy honrados de que la Dra. Moreau se una a nuestra Junta Directiva en febrero de 2021. Ella y su equipo sienten pasión por el trabajo que Ruff Haven está haciendo en la comunidad.
Local Advocacy
Ruff Haven is an active participant at the local and state advocacy levels.
Some of our accomplishments:
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Became a member of Salt Lake County's Continuum of Care, The Salt Lake Valley Coalition to End Homelessness, and successfully created a Pet Support Task Force.
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Successfully added questions regarding pet ownership and barriers to housing to the annual Point in Time Count throughout the state, required by HUD to track data regarding pet owners experiencing homelessness.
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Added pet-related questions into Utah’s HMIS system, making Utah one of the first states in the country to collect consistent statewide data on pet ownership among people experiencing homelessness.
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Received one-time state appropriation funding in 2023 to provide shelter and services to families experiencing domestic violence, becoming the first animal welfare organization in the state of Utah to receive an appropriation.
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Received a three-year state appropriation grant in 2024 through the National Opioid Settlement to provide sheltering and preventive medical services to the pets of people with an opioid use disorder, allowing them to seek treatment.