Tax Breaks for Fur Children? It's About Time

Peeper says "there really is no place like home"

With the recession still in the grips of our country, it's been reported that animal shelters are bursting at the seams with dogs and cats. It's sad but the majority of them were someone's pet that was given up by their owners because they went through a foreclosure and the landlord/property manager told them they didn't rent to families or people with pets. The other major reason was because the owner could no longer afford to keep them. All around, this is very sad.
We have one bright lawmaker that has introduced a Bill to allow tax breaks for our fur children, using the federal tax codes as a guideline. The writer and sponsor of this bill is Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.). The Act, The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) would allow pet owners to deduct the cost of veterinarian services, the cost of food and other pet-related expenses up to $3,500.00, on their income tax returns. Rep. McCotter indicated that the bill would provide tax relief for pet owners, and forming a strong "human + animal bond". I concur. As the Director and Founder of Friends of the Animal Kingdom, Inc. (a non-profit organization), a tax break for the 60% of Americans that have a fur child in their family will help keep pets in their beloved home. Remember, owning a pet has great health and emotional value, plus the unconditional love our fur children bestow upon us. Happy people are far more productive, which in the long run will assist in getting our economy going in the right direction.

Yes, there will be opponents and naysayers to this proposed bill in Congress, but I encourage each and everyone that has a fur child in their family to support this bill to the max. Let your voice be heard. To me, it's a win-win proposition.

Ellen R. Day is the Founder and Director of Friends of the Animal Kingdom, Inc., a non-profit organization that is dedicated to pet owners in crisis, promoting animal welfare, assisting with law enforcement agencies in continuing effort to stop animal abuse and neglect. For more information, please visit Friends of the Animal Kingdom at: http://www.foak.giving.officelive.com/


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