California Governor’s Proposal Shows no Love for Pets and Their People
An article in today’s San Francico Chronicle discusses Arnold Schwarzenegger’s plans to mend the massive hole in California’s budget. Among his answers: charge sales tax for veterinary visits.
Schwarzenegger also wants to broaden the sales tax to include appliance and furniture repair, vehicle repair, golf and veterinary services beginning March 1. His tax package, which would generate nearly $4.7 billion this year, also includes a severance tax on oil produced in California and an excise tax on alcohol. [emphasis mine]
Sorry Arnold, but I can’t support you. In this economy I know veterinarians who are cutting back hours and trimming staff to keep their practices from going under. Vets are strapped. And I meet plenty of people every day who can no longer afford the best possible care for their pets. People with pets are strapped.
Traditionally, services have not been subject to sales tax. I find it interesting that Governor Schwarzenegger chose to tax veterinary services and auto repair, but not human medical services or attorney’s fees. Taxing the latter two industries would draw in much more revenue for the state. It also would draw a lot more fire from armies of vicious, well-organized attorneys. I assume that is why Arnold has decided to pick on mechanics and vets (and their clients).
In this endeavor, Arnold, I wish you the worst of luck. And I’d like to suggest an alternative means of raising revenue. Start taxing people who watch or rent action movies featuring muscle-bound men.
On a different note, Horst recently asked readers for feedback on how the economy is affecting their choice of pet food. His question: are people choosing cheaper pet foods in these tough times?
That excellent question made me wonder: are readers cutting back on veterinary services, flea preventatives, heartworm preventatives, and annual wellness exams because money is now so tight? I’d love to hear what you have to say.
You have questions. 
I think that Arnold just does not get it. He is only interested in one thing, raising revenue the easiest way that he can. People who enjoy having animals,are generally easier to target than others, by this I mean that the attorneys would never let something like this happen, where as dog owners feel like they don’t have a choice. He has not been very supportive in issues that involve animals of any kind. Does he and the Mrs. have any animals? Is he aware how important they are to some of us?
Fortunately, here in Missouri no such regressive taxation has been applied to any of the services which Governor Schwarzenegger proposes to tax in CA. This is just an example of the desperate lengths “Arnie” is willing to go to to keep California solvent especially as he expects no federal assistance given the sorry state of the national economy. Also fortunately, my two cats and dog most certainly will not suffer any privation in their diets or veterinary attention and care.
We raw feed and where we are finding we spend more money, is in the small portion of ground/fresh veggies we provide, eggs and yogurt. The cost of produce and fruit is ridiculous!
We’ve been doing OK with chicken — chicken backs are our staple. While we never used to feed any grain, we are now feeding a little bit of oatmeal each day. I’d like to feed yams or sweet potato — but they cost substantially more! As petfood manufacturers feel the pinch, I feel certain their ingredients will suffer too.
I would hate to see CA tax vets — because your state is so influential in setting standards for others. I think it would have a far reaching affect.
The problem I am seeing more and more is with very low income people who continue to take in animals. I have met too many in that demographic that think love is enough and their pets never see a vet. With public funding for various low income forms of assistance getting cut, these folks will have even less money for food for themselves — let alone much left over for pets. Forget about them even spaying and neutering. I bet your pet population problem will get worse! And rabies compliance will probably suffer too (not to mention lost revenue from non-licensed dogs).
At a Jean Dodds conference, I remember her saying you can always predict what’s going to be the next big health or enviromental issue for humans based on what first starts showing up in our pets. The salmonella in petfood that is making humans sick, the melamine poisoning, etc. This kind of proposal is just a scary first step insofar as other bad ideas by this guy goes.
I have not cut back on my pets food or anual vet visit. I sure am not about to make them suffer beacuse of the economy. They will always get the best for them and I will deal with the Spaghetti-O’s!
Arnold is showing us once again that he does not have much regard for people who have companion animals/pets. I believe it was just this year (although maybe it was last year) when he purposed reducing the holding period for animals arriving into shelters down to just 3 days so save some money. Instead of looking into ways to reducing spending on wasteful project (like the our new big dig…I mean bullet train…project) he tries to cut corners in areas that negatively affect the lives with little or no voices.
Taxing Vet care will only discourage even MORE people from getting their pets the care they need. As it is, people cut on vet care in times like these.
Very distressing….this past week CA has not proven to be the forward thinking state that I was born and raised in. At least we were able to Prop 2 passed!!! :-)
i cannot belive this!!!!!!!!!! like you say,we’re barely getting by. the flea stuff and hw prev are expensive enough…but… i will still continue to give my dogs…8 of them… the best of care
I live in California and I was very upset when I heard he wanted to tax Vet. services. I have personally cut back every where else to be able to afford to continue feeding my beloved Rosie Dog the same food and to be able to afford the Vet. Services and Medications she needs. I do not know how much further I can cut back! Rosie has terminal cancer and has so far beaten all of the odds stacked against her — I would be VERY UPSET if someone’s budget crunching caused me to be unable to continue to afford her medications or my Vets. services. Essentially Arnold would be costing me very valuable, precious time with my pet.
Besides just my personal battle the thought really upsets me because all it will do is essentially tax our shelters further. Either that or people simply will not seek the care and attention their pets need and deserve — Isn’t that encouraging the abuse of animals?
LOVED Heather’s comment about Spaghetti-O’s!!! But my heart goes out to Juli. I must admit I was a little taken back at my last pets’ visits – and we don’t get taxed (yet), in Boise, on vet services. It motivated me to try to brush my cat and dog’s teeth twice a day instead of once a day. No problem with our dog, but the cat objected! I’ll try to do what I can to keep the costs I can control down. No skimping on the quality of vet services or food though – at least not yet.
And if you have a chance, can you tell us how to care for our pet’s teeth so it’s more effective? I’ve used regular pet toothbrushes, finger toothbrushes and 3-sided pet toothbrushes. Are any more effective than the others? I’ve also purchased scrapers, but haven’t had much success using them. I’m secretly envious on one of our family acquaintances who uses dental hygienist skills to keep her dog’s teeth sparkling. How do you do that?
Arnold is bit of a dunce. Thank god he’s not in NY…
I CAN BELIEVE IT. THIS IS THE MAN THAT SAID HE WOULDN’T RUN FOR PRESIDENT ,THEN TRIED TO CHANGE THE LAW SO ANY PERSON FROM ANOTHER COUNTRY CAN RUN FOR THE PRESIDENCY OF THIS COUNTRY. SO WHAT DO YOU THINK HE WILL DO,RAISE TAXES ON ACTORS SALARIES?
There is something sadly wrong here. I don’t live in Calif(thank God) but it seems they tax the meds, now they want to tax vet bill. This is goofy and out of line. I realize the economy is in the toilet, but don’t drown the ones that carry the government on their back. Alot of people have already given up thier beloved pets in hope someone will take better care of them than they can, now you come along and make it worse. I would say thanks Mr. Governor.. This is getting out of hand. If Calif gets away with this it could go to other states. Don’t you have the right to vote on this? Some people only have their pets. Stop it before it happens. This is rotten.
The Governor of California proposal to tax veterinary services is way off the mark.
Tax ALL Services or no services. Including lawyers, doctors, accounts, drying cleaning, auto repair –ALL SERVICES.
We have allowed the destruction of manufacturing in this country by letting companies move fabrication “off shore” We are destroying the middle class, the basis for any democracy, and we are rapidly becoming a SERVICE ECONOMY and so the need to raise revenue from this sector of the economy The only fair approach to raise revenue is to tax ALL SERVICES AT THE SAME RATE.
The next step would be to encourage and subsidize manufacturing in the USA and be willing to pay the higher cost for American made goods to make sure Americans have jobs and the potential for upward mobility. A globalized economy only means our standard of living decreases while the standard of living in the other countries improves.. China and India won’t be purchasing from us but from other emerging economies. American companies by putting manufacturing “off shore” have killed and eaten the Goose that lays the Golden Egg. So sad, so distrubing.
I lived in Calif for 40 yrs and moved out of state because I was tired of all the taxes we had that other states didn’t. I won’t go on a rant about all the things he could cut to help the state, I’m just glad I don’t live there anymore. His newest proposal is ridiculous but shows he has no concern for the working middle class people who are the backbone of this country. I hope the people of that state take a stand and fight this if it becomes law.
That’s ridiculous. It’s hard enough to get some peple to take their pet to the vet, and that’s when the economy isn’t doing as badly, but to now tax visits?
I have 5 cats and luckily they are all young and healthy, but I typically take them in any time I see anything that worries me. I also take them in once a year for bloodwork. It’s hard on my budget, but these are my babies.
I feed my cats EVO after switching from Wellness. By making the switch, I’m feeding them even better quality food and I buy it at a small local pet supply store, so I’m saving $60 a month. I am very happy I haven’t had to compromise the quality of their food.
Why not tax actors who think they can run a government.People who need pets for mental stability can’t pay all the money out they need to. Does he have any pets? guess it doesn’t make any difference he’s got money. Normal people can’t afford to live,atleaset they should have a pet.Since he doesn’t like to let people take care of thier pets.I hope the ASPCA jumps in. It makes me so mad i could scream!!!!!!!!!
Maybe he could mend it better if he took a cut in pay. And paid less for his make up. And then did something for the green cause,so we wouldn’t to pay so much at the vets for fleameds,heart worm meds and all the rest.
Have to mention that in past year/s Arnold also wanted to propose that rescue animals have a shorter time frame before they are euthanised! Even his kids went against him on that. What does he has against animals? I hope he doesn’t have any pets if this is his attitude, especially against defenseless animals……….
Targeting veterinary care for added taxex is ridiculous. It is difficult enough to sometimes get veterinary care due to the high cost, and plenty of animals suffer simply because their people cannot afford to go to the vet. It is a lose/lose situation, for the pet, the vet and the pet parent. I suffer when my pets suffer, and and my vet – who already is incredibly generous – is suffering right along. Not only because of lost revenue and lost clients, but because he knows animals are suffering and dying because their people’s budgets are getting tighter (or are disappearing altogether). The other downside of this: shelters are bursting at the seams because people cannot afford them anymore, not the food, or the vet care… I am not switching to cheap, lower grade food just yet, because the better the food, the less health issues for my pets. My sacrifices come in form of cheaper food and less treats for myself.
You asked if pet owners were cutting back because of the economy andn the answer is this owner is. I have two cats, one that was affected by the pet food recall. I started off feeding my babies with Fancy Feast which is expensive. Here in Florida .54 to .84 cents a can with is alot considering he ate 3 cans a day. Now he is getting 9 Lives which is $1.36 for a 4 pack. Luckily my female only likes dry. But I can only afford to take them to the vet once a year just for shots. They are both indoor cats and the increase in the price of litter is really killing me. I used to take them every other month for their nails to be cut, that no longer happens either. I’m living on approx. $800.00 monthly on disability and really finding it rough to keep up with their expenses but I refuse to give them up.
I do live in California and we are facing huge financial problems. We are a huge state with a huge population and we provide many services to those who are in need. Cutting services alone is not going to be enough to mend the budget gap. The governor has no choice but to find ways to increase revenue.
Someone in this blog said they noticed our Governor avoided taxing medical services and attorney fees. Good grief! Do you all have any idea what those taxes would be? One visit to the hospital would cost more in taxes than anyone would ever spend on vet bills in their lifetime. I am grateful our Governor has enooug good sense to not tax those services.
I stand with the person who said they would get good care for their pets regardless of a tax on the services. It’s really unfortuante that taxes have to raised at all but clearly, they do. No matter what services are selected to be taxed, there will be complaints from those who use those services.
This is not his first blow to our family members. CA govenor has little respect for animal kind (previosly called for legislation that would allow for shorter stays in kill shelters). I think it is time for CA voters to get a recall and a new govenor.
Mary, I agree with you in some ways. However, if he’d pick some other services to tax besides vet and mechanic bills, it would look a little bit less like the class warfare that it does now. How about taxing private school tuition, or even just raising the state income tax? More regressive taxation is not the answer, especially when so many (including me!) teeter on the edge of the poverty line already.
As to the original question: Leroy continues to get the best cat food I can give him (tough, with his kidney failure, to find something he can keep down). However, he’s not getting the very best vet care because I can’t afford it. He would be perkier if I could afford to check him into the vet’s and infuse him with fluids for a few days, but that just is not going to happen — it would cost a whole week’s pay. This will likely cost me some months with my sweetpea, as he will be suffering sooner and I will have to put him down sooner than if we could afford aggressive treatment. My poor little old man.
I live in NC where we must pay a yearly tax on each pet – the vets must report every animal seen to the state so we have the option of paying the vet the tax at the same time we get our yearly shots or whatever.
When we first moved here we were unaware of the taxation and were fined – our veterinarian died shortly after seeing our cat. Now, we simply pay the new vet and live with it. Sadly many young college students “adopt” pets without understanding the 15 to 20 year commitment and the total costs and their cute adopted animals end up in the shelters – the luckier ones are sent to live with their parents.
We would have more sweet animals if it were not for the incredible expense. So now I am a foster mother for a local non-profit rescue shelter (for the last month, they have had to turn away animals knowing that they will die). See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Animal_euthanasia – so, the owner has decided to accept pregnant animals as a priority. I have had many babies come through here and ultimately they are adopted. She also follows up on previously adopted animals and, yes, sometimes they end up back in the rescue shelter. On another note, initially I was appalled that these 6 -8 week puppies were being “fixed’ before the adoption – not now – still happy that they were treated and given all of their shots by vets who did it for cost.
Lastly, since donations are “tax-write-offs” even some of the larger chain stores give donations of food and supplies – for a receipt. So, if you do not have one or more of these shelters in your area, think about creating one. MBA students might even do the paperwork for you as their internship. Further, get creative with tax write-offs.
Good luck to all and take your taxes back – the best way to beat the system. Arnold, ten years ago, indicated that while we had too many pets in shelters due to humans, cloning pets would become popular in our life-time. For those who might afford it. These are the companies that should be taxed or made to donate 50% of their after tax earnings to the shelters? Far more creative legislation. If we begin the simpler taxation by owner, should we not have an addendum for the taxation for corporations who profit from animal cloning?
If your area does not have a non-profit shelter for our friends that we have “
This man was a mediocre actor and a real estate mogul before the masses were stupid enough to vote for him and now he continues true to form with his capitalist/materialist/right-wing ideology. Anyone who’s surprised might take it upon themselves to learn his history. And don’t forget, his father was a card-carrying nazi.
[...] November I discussed Governor Arnold Schwartzenegger’s proposal to levy a sales tax on veterinary services in [...]
I don’t feel that there should be a service tax on veterinary services. There are many people who have pets that give them the possibly the only comfort that they get and they do all they can to afford these wonderful animals. They probably do without just to take their pets to the vet when they are ill or need surgery. Placing a tax on this type of service is not right and shouldn’t even be considered. I am opposed to such a tax
That is just great. We cannot afford to have animals, but we still get to pay for other people and their kids even if we do not have kids ourselves. Having children is just as much a luxury as having animals. I say we get a tax BREAK for having animals just like people with kids do. Now that would be fair.
[...] official. We have dodged the bullet on the California veterinary sales tax proposal. The California Veterinary Medicine Association writes in its Members’ Edge: Over three [...]
I have 2 cats and luckily they both are quite young and not fussy. I feed them Wellness or Eagle pack holistic food and Wellness and Purina Friskies wet.I usually take them for an annual physical and Shots. In case of emergencies, I take them right away. I have ASPCA pet insurance for them. It is quite affordable.
For those who are struggling with the financial turmoil.. here are a few suggestions that can provide some relief.
Get annual membership at Sam’s club/ BJs/ Costco. The litter brand Fresh step is only $14 @ Sams Club for 40lbs.The other good one is tidycats-multicat-odor control.You can get this in a 50lb bag and its only $7.88 @Samsclub.It is 96% dust free also.Another one in Sams is litterclean-100% natural,No chemicals& long lasting odor control. Its $11 for 40 lbs.But My cats love fresh step and I have been using this for the past 3 yrs.None beat Fresh Step for odor control yet!! I also use arm&hammer baking soda occasionally to clean. It is only $5 at Sams for 12 lbs which is very cheap.
Similarly for food, if you cannot afford the holistic food, it is okay to buy Friskies or Fancy Feast these are renowned brands too. You can get Friskies wet food, 48 cans @ 0.39 cents each and Fancy feast at 0.44 cents each (this is as per Sams club in Florida).
If you just compare the litter alone you would be saving a huge amt by buying at these wholesale outlets. Just my 2 Cents!
I live in the heaiest taxed place in north america. We will shortly be getting another tax hike from our provincial government. Our provincial tax taxes our federal tax. Everything here is taxed with the exception of medication and food. Even alchohol, and gas is taxed it’s just included into the price. So for years I have been paying tax on my vet bills and pet food.
Eventually like everything else you get used to it.
I could sit and whine and complain but I get benifits from being taxed. I have a public medicare system which means I can see a doctor and not worry about if i can afford i t or if my insurance will pay. I have a public perscription drug insurance plan which means I only pay for 20% of mymeds. I have a “Regie du logment” which means that my rent is controled and that if I ever have issues with my landlords all leagal fees are paid. I have a “Regie d’emploi” which means if I have any issues with my employer and must take them to court for what ever reason the leagal fees are paid.
Also being informed has saved loads of money. Here in Canada you can have your pets perscription filled at a human pharmacy. This is a substancial savings. Last year one of my cats needed to be on anti anxiety meds. @ the vet it would have cost $40.00 per month @ the pharmcie it cost $10.00.
If a tax is to be applied it should be global not specific.
I will admit that here in Canada we are not feeling the recesion as much as the states but we feel it non the less. We all have to figure out a way to get every thing we need at the lowest possible cost. I called around to several vets to get the lowest price. Sometimes going to one who is well established and owns thier own building will save some money as they don’t have as much over head.