HAPPY for Pets
I wrote last year about California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's misguided plan to add a sales tax to veterinary services as part of a larger set of proposals to deal with the state's multi-billion dollar budget shortfall. Thanks to the work of HSUS, the California Veterinary Medical Association, and state legislators, the governor's idea was terminated, and California pet owners weren't forced into an even more difficult situation where tough choices had to be made about cutting care for their animal companions.
The HAPPY Act aims to give pet owners a break with a
tax deduction for pet care expenses.
What's an even more hopeful sign of the times, however, is that federal lawmakers, led by Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.), are taking a much more foresighted approach by working to give pet owners a break during this economic downturn. McCotter has introduced H.R. 3501 -- the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act -- which would amend the federal tax code to allow a person to deduct up to $3,500 per year for pet care, including veterinary expenses. (The deduction applies only to household companion animals, not animals in laboratories, farms, or other businesses.)
McCotter has been a strong supporter of animal protection, and has advanced issues that promote the safety of both people and animals, such as dog bite prevention. We're grateful for his leadership in this new effort to help struggling families make ends meet -- recognizing that pets are part of the family, too.
During a stressful economic period, McCotter's bill is as much a human health issue as an animal health issue. Pets are good for us emotionally and physically, and studies show that having a pet can lower your blood pressure and cholesterol levels. If you've lost your job or are having trouble paying the mortgage or rent, caring for a companion animal provides a sense of purpose and fulfillment and lessens feelings of loneliness and depression.
The legislation could be a critical safety net to prevent struggling pet owners who can no longer afford to care for their animal companions from relinquishing them at animal shelters -- which not only tears families apart but also places a financial burden on local municipalities and private shelters for the costs of housing pets and, tragically, euthanizing them. And by encouraging affordable pet care, the bill not only promotes animal health and well-being, but also could help to stimulate the economy by driving more business to veterinarians, animal hospitals, and pet care providers.
Pet care, in fact, can be big business. More American households can claim pets than children as dependents. Since 1998, pet ownership has increased from 56% of households to 62%--an estimated 71.4 million homes enjoy pet companionship. And to care for these animals in our lives, we collectively spend more than $40 billion -- on food, veterinary care, and other supplies and services -- every year.
Moreover, pet ownership is not just for the wealthy -- 58% of households earning incomes of $55,000 or less per year own pets. While pet ownership does increase with income, a recent American Veterinary Medical Association survey revealed that pets are most likely to be a part of families with children led by full-time workers owning their homes. And the largest growth rate in pet ownership is among retired older couples.
Pet food and regular veterinary care are necessities, not luxuries, for the companion animals in our lives, and we can't skimp on these costs without jeopardizing the health and safety of our pets. If McCotter's bill is passed into law, it will provide a helping hand to all of us, human and animal alike.
Follow Michael Markarian on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mmarkarian
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I love animals and I have a cat I especially love.But this isn't the time for this bill and it isn't actually needed.
I'm sorry.I'm reacting to the increased number of animals that are being left to fend for themselves.Poverty at that level really isn't helped by a tax break.Folks need jobs.And it is those refugees I worry about.We pretty much all keep an eye out for strays around here.I'm lucky to have nice neighbors.
I do think it would be good for small non euthanasia groups to be helped as well as Humane Societies.Our critters with homes have what they need most.Love,food and shelter.I worry about the ones that don't have a person of their own.That's all.
Check out the interview on the H.A.P.P.Y. Act with Congressman McCotter on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v_uiSuy7TR8. He discusses the bill's purpose and reason for helping pet guardians and their animal family members.
Why on earth should I have to subsidize your pets?
Meanwhile, children have died because they couldn't get dental care.
Give me a break. And I don't mean a tax break for my two dogs (both rescued), six cats (four rescued) or my dairy goats.
Excellent idea. Pets are forced to survive in a difficult society. Humans caused it; humans need to take responsibility for it. This deduction will help motivate those who might have second thoughts about a adopting a pet due to financial concerns. Those people against this marvelous plan must by Obama socialists.
One way to save money on vet bills is to feed your pets only those foods that are in alignment with their genetic heritage.
The vet industry is booming with the very same medical specialists that treat humans - there are now more than 23 veterinary specialties. Just like humans, our pets often lead long and sick lives.
My personal opinion is that feeding pets the Frankenfoods in cans and bags is akin to animal cruelty. The same is true of feeding our own bodies the junk most humans eat.
Simple example of a popular cat food: Chicken By-Product Meal, Corn Meal, Corn Grits, Animal Fat (preserved with mixed Tocopherols, a source of Vitamin E), Ocean Fish, Brewer's Rice, Dried Beet Pulp, Dried Egg Product, Natural Flavor ++. In nature, how often have you seen a cat catch a fish or eat corn or rice or beets?
My cats are tenth generation raised on their natural diet. Hopefully, they will never see the inside of a vet's office. They are in perfect health, have beautiful coats and teeth, and a great disposition. They eat virtually all parts of raw ground-living animals, and munch on grass occasionally to act as a purgative. They have never eaten anything in a can or a bag.
To find out what nature intended humans to eat, you might want to read "The Original Diet- The Omnivore's Solution."
Roy Mankovitz, Director
http://www.MontecitoWellness.com
This is the most reprehensible idea I have ever heard.
I am a progressive. I will go right to Ron Paul if anything like this passes anywhere other than CA.
BTW, CA is DYING. It is dying, you have no money for education and you want to give tax credits for pets.
Pets are not children.
I kinda, sorta, maybe understand why I should have to subsidize other people's kids...BUT NO WAY am I subsidizing your pets.
If you can explain to me, why I should, I could use a good laugh.
This is is fantastic! I believe that if you bring a companion animal into your home, you have a moral obligation to look after its well-being for the rest of its life. And while I, like a previous poster, would do without before making my dog sacrifice, it would be lovely if the tax code offered some recognition that my companion animal is more than mere "property."
Now, I have to go change out Enzo's water filter. It's getting cloudy.
It's only fair--my cat has been deducting me from his taxes for years.
This kind of deduction would be a great help for me, but Dog and I are in it for the long haul anyway, whether his care and meds are a deduction or not. That's just how we run. ;)
AWESOME screen name!
This is exciting, and an important step toward official recognition of the important role pets play in our lives. Those of us who love our pets have known this all along, but it's nice to see that legislators are catching on.
This would be great! My dog is like my child and I will go without before he does.
That's kinda sad....that a dog is like your child.
That's great! And a tax break would definitely be an enormous plus. Having had to spend $4K on my pug once, I can testify that you can spend a lot of money in dribs and drabs--a test here, a prescription there. It's a great incentive for people to take good care of their pets. I also recommend pet insurance.
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