Lolita

Hi! I’m Eric Christensen and this is my first time blogging with you. I sometimes man the front desk, taking calls and scheduling appointments — but my real job at Founders is that of Hospital Administrator. The staff likes to call me the ‘Computer Guy’ since I worked in the computer industry during my first three lives and now keep the computers up and running at Founders. I am also known as ‘Cat Guy’ here at work — being the only employee to have all feline housemates and no canines (see photos). I still love dogs, but cats just seem better suited to my laid back lifestyle.

Besides my feline passion, I also spend time keeping up in the political arena, so I have been designated to write about important pet legislation. But I never expected to uncover legislation that would be a great benefit to pet owners! Did you know that Congressman Thaddeus McCotter (R-MI) has submitted a bill to the US House of Representatives that will allow pet owners to reduce their taxable income by up to $3500 per year? Perhaps it is a stimulus package for the veterinary profession — also feeling the cutbacks in these difficult economic times. Thank you Congressman McCotter for your leadership on an issue relating to animal welfare!

This bill would help offset the rising cost of pet care in America, and help people that are increasingly finding it more difficult to make ends meet. You may wonder, in these times of budget deficits and high profile government programs getting all the attention, why do we need this act? If you’re a dedicated pet owner and feel as I do, your pets are family! We allow tax deductions for children, why not our four-legged fur-kid dependents?

Isaac and Hook

Furthermore, there are the psychological benefits that for some of us are like having a doctor’s prescription, which has qualified many patients to have therapy pets. Karin Winegar, whose book “Saved: Rescued Animals and the Lives They Transform” (Da Capo, 2008) chronicles human-animal interactions and reports:

“The human-animal bond bypasses the intellect and goes straight to the heart and emotions and nurtures us in ways that nothing else can. We’ve seen this from coast to coast, whether it’s disabled children at a riding center in California or a nursing home in Minnesota, where a woman with Alzheimer’s could not recognize her husband but she could recognize their beloved dog.”

We witness the incredible healing support and joy our pets — and your pets — unselfishly give to us each day. Karin Winegar’s research only supports what we know and the wisdom Congressman Thaddeus McCotter appreciates.

The Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY – HR 3501) act would amend the federal tax code to allow pet owners to reduce their taxable income (up to $3500) by allowing deductions for qualified pet care expenses, including veterinary care.

Our staff believes that passage of this amendment would ease the burden of pet care for many American families and also encourage better and more consistent medical care for beloved family pets that depend on us to provide for them.

Please write, email, or call your Congressman today and tell him/her why this bill is important to you and your pet companions.

The ASPCA supports this bill and offers you an easy way to voice your support, too. Use this link to send your message to Congress now:

https://secure2.convio.net/aspca/site/Advocacy?cmd=display&page=UserAction&id=2605

Thank you!