A Win and Possible Loss for Animals

With the United States economy doing so poorly, the housing market has taken a large hit with foreclosed homes.  Due to the increasing number of foreclosed homes, there is an increase number abandoned pets.  Many of the homeowners have to leave their homes without their pets.  When bank employees enter the deserted homes they are told to leave the property, including pets, untouched until the foreclosure process is completed.  As a result many of the animals are left alone, abandoned or left to die.  But, now there is hope for the abandoned animals because of the Animal Abandonment law, or Assembly Bill (AB) 2949.  This AB introduced by Assemblyman Mark DeSaulnier and signed by Governor Schwarzenegger, requires the owners of a property (bank or their agents) to notify animal control officers if a pet has been left behind (Associated Content and ASPCA).

The passing of AB 2949 is a great success for abandoned animals.  But, now with California’s state budget facing a billion dollar deficit, the Governor is now trying to propose a new tax on veterinary services.  This will supposedly help our budget deficit by placing a nine percent tax on veterinary services.  If this measure passes, veterinary care will be the only medical service taxed in California.  Both the California Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) and the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) are against this measure along with other animal rights groups (DVM 360). 

A nine percent tax is not a great hardship for people in the higher income bracket but, for people who are struggling, a nine percent tax increase can be a hardship.  Animal shelters are already at capacity, and the number of homeless pets continue to rise during our economic crisis.  Animal abandonment, starvation, neglect, and neglect of needed veterinary services are all forms of animal abuse and, are considered a crime in California.  With the passing of this measure it may increase the number of animal abuse cases which are punishable by law.  This will result in a burden on our already congested court system, costing our state to spend the revenue from the tax increase on animal abuse cases. 

Here are websites where you can, thank the Governor for the passing of AB 2949, and another urging him to not pass the veterinary tax.