Pennsylvania State Rep. Jesse White introduced legislation that would provide a $300 tax credit per taxable year until Dec. 31, 2013, and would apply to adoptions from a pound, shelter, society or other protective or rescue association for the prevention of cruelty to animals within Pennsylvania. Representative White feels that with the economic downturn Pennsylvania’s animal shelters have seen a dramatic increase in the number of abandoned and homeless dogs and cats statewide not unlike every other state in the country,.
“Animal shelters have been given an impossible job of doing more with less, especially as donations and grants dwindle and food and veterinary costs rise,” White said
This bill would give people incentive to choose their dog or cat from an animal shelter to help offset the expense of caring for the pet, but it would also relieve the strain on overcrowded animal shelters, keep abandoned pets off the streets and give thousands of homeless pets a new home. The tax credit would certainly reimburse an owner for the initial adoption fee from the shelters where the dog or cat is hopefully already spayed or neutered and up to date with vaccinations but it does nothing long term to ensure the new owners can afford to keep the dog they just received a tax credit for adopting. Humans can take itemized deductions on major medical bills if there is a major illness or accident the same cannot be done for major medical expenses for your dog or cat. In the short term this bill might make a difference in number of adoptions but in the long run if the economy does not pick up the dogs will wind up back in the shelter only now they will be older and in need of more medical attention.
Oh my – what a complete 180 from this hideous legislation that wants to KILL cats! news.change.org/stories/us-fish-and-wildlife-service-surfs-into-cru…
Let’s hear it for Rep. White!