Critical: Tell Gov. Schwarzenegger NO VET CARE TAX!

January 15, 2009

Gov. Schwarzenegger wants animal guardians to pay "luxury tax" on

veterinary visits

With the state of California

facing a $41 billion budget deficit over the next 18 months, Governor Schwarzenegger

has proposed paying off some of this massive debt by charging a "luxury tax" of

up to 10.5% on all veterinary services. According to the wording of his proposal, vet

care would literally be equivalent to several non-essential activities the

governor now wants to tax, like going to an amusement park, attending a sports

event, or playing golf. This would basically redefine taking a sick or injured animal companion to the vet as an

optional extravagance (as opposed to

a personal, family or moral obligation) that should be factored into your

entertainment expenses — a move that will surely force many

financially-strapped guardians to forgo vet visits, and some to even surrender their animals to shelters.The legislature could vote on this tax any day now, so please speak out against it NOW. You can learn more and get contact info for Gov. Schwarzenegger and your other elected officials by reading my recent blog post on this issue, in which I suggest that the government raise revenue by collecting fines from all the factory farms that routinely violate state animal welfare, environmental and labor laws. Or, for quick and convenient click & send automatic email action, see HSUS's Humane Alert.

Mat Thomaswww.animalrighter.org