Andrea Rosebrock 
In a move that has incited pet owners and animal advocates alike, CA Governor Schwarzenegger recommended broadening the Sales and Use Tax to include “luxury” items such as veterinary services. Since when is vet service a “luxury”?
As if it’s not bad enough that the economy has caused the foreclosure rates to skyrocket, leaving many people and pets homeless, people forced to give up their pets and sadly too many of them just leaving their furry family members live to fate, if this passes, it will add an additional burden. More pets will wound up in shelters or abandoned.
Read on my friends, right now this is a California problem but if it passes, whose problem will it be next?
“Our companion animals are family members and taking care of their health is a responsibility, not a discretionary spending decision like golf or furniture repair,” said Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation. “No other medical professions were included in the sales tax proposal, and with record numbers of families already making the unfortunate choice to abandon their pets because they cannot afford them in today’s economy, the last thing we need to do is increase medical costs.”
“Subjecting complicated veterinary medical procedures and treatments to taxation would be the same as taxing health care for children in California,” said William Grant, II, DVM, president of the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA). “What will happen to the sick or injured pets of people already struggling with potential home foreclosures and job losses? How much more heartbreak is it fair to ask of our fellow citizens?”
“The current economic crisis has impacted many aspects of our lives, and pets are no exception,” said Michael Markarian, president of the Humane Society Legislative Fund. “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. Rather than find solutions to help pet owners during this money crunch, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has found a way to make matters worse.”
“We would be defeating our own progress in getting people to be ‘responsible’ pet guardians by making it more difficult for basic veterinary care, not to mention extensive veterinary care,” said Beth Caffrey, Humane Education Department, Central California SPCA. “All of our efforts in creating healthy communities that include animals would be undermined if we put animals back in the category with products like furniture. Diseases will have the upper hand again as more people provide less health care for their animals and no doubt it will be another brick wall to hit for the over flooded animal shelters. The Central California SPCA went from a 26 percent increase in owner surrenders when foreclosures started to a 34 percent increase when the economy took its turn. Adoptions have also dropped off. If we tax those that would have provided a home and health care, the animals may lose their future.”
Californians, you need to take action! Please contact the Office of Gov. Schwarzenegger at 916-445-2841 today and ask that he remove the proposed sales tax on veterinary services. You can also ask your own veterinarian to get involved, and send an urgent alert to his or her clients.
“In California, over 800,000 dogs and cats already enter our shelter systems every year, and more than half are killed because there are not enough homes,” added Mancuso. “This year, most shelters are reporting a 20-30 percent increase in those numbers and up to a 200 percent increase in large animals. This is one tax we absolutely cannot afford.”
And who knows, if this passes in CA, where might we see it popping up next? What next state may emulate CA in taxing such an essential service as vet care? Yes, the is a CA problem now, but what about tomorrow… or next week… or next month… or next year? I think everyone needs to make their voice heard on this one.
UPDATE – It didn’t pass!!We can be thankful that this is one measure that did not go through!
Gov Schwarzenegger needs to hear for all of us on this topic. This is going to add an undue burden to pet owners and especially rescuers.
If this passes in Ca you can bet your bottom dollar other states will follow suit
Thanks for the info Deana!
~Caroline
@Caroline – That’s my thoughts exactly, Caro, which is why I think everyone should make their selves heard on this issue. It would be a bad precedent to start setting.
D.
So this is Arnold Schwarzenegger’s legacy to the world? What a typically callous and devious politician.
Maybe now people will begin to get their heads around the insidious legislative measures that are being brought to bear for the purposes of deterring us from pet ownership. Breed Specific Legislation is evil enough. But this additional tax is even more bare-faced.
Just look at New Zealand’s response to a mauling: mandatory micro-chipping. This did nothing to prevent the next attack but instead places another major financial burden on dog ownership right across the board affecting only law-abiding dog owners who are easily targeted because of their registered status.
Wake up people. The politicians want a pet free world like their mates Ingrid Newkirk of PETA and Wayne Pacelle of the HSUS.
This is whacko ideology at it’s worst.
Look upon your dogs and cats. They may be the last companion animals you can ever afford to own.
Think of the effect on the elderly, childless, isolated and children. How cruel is this?
If I was dependent upon the pet care industry for my bottom line I’d be feeling very nervous right now.
Shame on you Arnold. Pity you politicians don’t have to practice to the same standard as the veterinary profession: First, Do NO HARM.
Don’t stop at getting your vets involved in this. Talk to the CEOs of the pet shop chains, kennel owners, dog walkers, pet food manufacturers, harness and toy makers, drug companies and anyone else you can think of who will be ruined by the demise of the domestic pet.
Arnold, I wouldn’t have your karma for anything if you succeed in this hideous attack on the family pet. We have cohabited with our domestic pets for over 12,000 years of evolution during which they have benefited us immeasurably. We owe them a safe future.
Pet ownership isn’t a luxury, it’s an obligation which just happens to come with immense rewards for those of us – the majority that is – with eyes to see and hearts to feel with.
Who do you think you are Arnold? Hitler in carnate? Only this time your targets are our beloved pets.
Maybe you and Ingrid and Wayne need to take your huge resources and buy an animal free island somewhere so you can go live in pet-free isolation away from the rest of the thinking feeling world. And good riddance to you.
YOU KNOW I USED TO REALLY LIKE ARNOLD BUT NOT ANY MORE. HE NOW A POPPUIS A.. I’M POSTING THIS ON MYSPACE. AND I’M GONNA WRITE TO ARNOLD & GIVE HIM A PEICE OF MY MIND BUT I WILL TRY TO BE NICE.
Don’t you DARE be nice Janet. Give him the verbal caning he deserves for such an outrageous attack on pet owners which will result in even worse suffering for our domestic pets as proper medical care becomes unaffordable.
How would he fare in the next election if he proposed adding a tax to doctors fees for children?
It would be the zimmerframe and infamy for Arnold. And that’s what he deserves for suggesting that proper medical care for our pets is a luxury!
For far too long the politicians have sniggered at our restrained and tactful entreaties and proceeded with their agendae undaunted by anything we might have to say about our quality of life and our futures.
Such politicians – and if Breed Specific Legislation is anything to judge them by they are the majority – only listen up when there is a direct threat to THEIR survival.
We need to show them just how ugly we’re going to get if they persist with this. Get organised. VOTE THEM OUT.
Many pets already suffer due to the economy’s effect on affording veterinary care for our pets. All this will do is hurt these pets more…we should be helping people care for their pets, not hurt them.