Sen. Scott Wilk honored for championing animal welfare: ‘A voice to the voiceless’

Sen. Scott Wilk was awarded the California Veterinary Medical Association’s inaugural Legislator of the Year award in recognition of his leadership and work on behalf of animal welfare .

"Since arriving in Sacramento, one of my top priorities has been to give a voice to the voiceless, including our pets," Wilk said. "No matter what life throws at you, they’re always there to brighten your day when you come home. Too often, their needs are overlooked. It's been a genuine pleasure to work with the [California Veterinary Medical Association] over the years, and I’m truly honored to receive this award."

California Veterinary Medical Association President Dr. Jennifer Hawkins shared why the group chose Wilk for the award.

“When we decided to institute this annual award, Senator Wilk immediately came to mind as the most deserving of legislators,” Hawkins said. “From working to address pet overpopulation and mass euthanasia, to tackling the thorny issue of animal blood banking, he has been a champion in this space.”

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During his time in the legislature, Wilk authored the following measures addressing animal wellbeing:

• SB 1233 – Alleviates California’s animal shelter overcrowding/euthanasia crisis. Establishes a framework for California’s two accredited schools of veterinary medicine at UC Davis and Western University of Health Sciences, to create a first-in-the-nation High-Quality High-Volume Spay/Neuter certification program.
• SB 202 – Would have allowed privately owned animals to donate blood under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian to guarantee a healthy supply of blood when other animals need it.

• SB 580 - The Animal Cruelty & Violence Intervention Act. The bill would have required the most serious offenders convicted of animal abuse crimes to undergo mandatory mental health assessments and, at the discretion of the court, to attend ongoing counseling.

Wilk also demonstrated his commitment to animal welfare, earning 'A' ratings from PawPAC, an organization focused on the passage of humane laws, according to the association.

When he represented Simi Valley in the state Assembly, Wilk and his wife, Vanessa, named their rescue dog, “Simi V.” The Wilks’ other dog, “AV,” is named after the Antelope Valley.

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“Dogs truly are man’s best friend. There’s nothing like the unconditional love they give us, and they deserve our love and respect in return,” Wilk said. “Our pets are part of our families, and I’ve been proud to advocate on their behalf.”

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Sen. Scott Wilk honored for championing animal welfare: ‘A voice to the voiceless’