The National Association of Professional Pet Sitters (NAPPS), the nation’s leading nonprofit professional pet sitting organization, applauds Congressman Thaddeus McCotter’s efforts to pass a bill to make pet care expenses tax-deductible.
Introduced on July 31, HR 3501, commonly referred to as the Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years or HAPPY Act, would amend the IRS code to allow an individual to deduct up to $3500 in a taxable year for qualified pet care expenses. The bill defines qualified as “amounts paid in connection with providing care (including veterinary care) for a qualified pet expense other than any expense in connection with the acquisition of the qualified pet.”
The bill further defines a qualified pet as a “legally owned, domesticated, live animal” and does not include animals used for research or owned or used in conjunction with trade or business.
“This bill will provide pet owners the opportunity to deduct pet care expenses ensuring adequate veterinary care for their pets,” said NAPPS President Monica Leighton, owner of Professional Pet Sitting in Venice, Fla. “During these hard economic times, this legislation is essential because it encourages responsible pet ownership and will potentially reduce the number of pets that are abandoned due to the lack of resources. We encourage all animal lovers to contact their members of Congress and voice their support for HR 3501.”
The bill, which has been referred to the House Ways and Means Committee, can be viewed at http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/query/z?c111:H.R.3501.IH:.
I absolutely agree that there should be a tax deduction for persons who
care for their pets by liscensed veternarians, drs. For example, we have 2 poodles, one with diabetes which was close to death, take to emergency room 4 days, now treating with insulin shots 2xdaily, along with new cataracts in eyes (from diabetes), needs to see eye specialiast,
has had 2 knee surgeries. The other has had dental extractions to a cost of almost 500.00 last week. We have to buy special dietary food for both, much more expensive daily that from a chain store.
If you have anyone I can write to like this congressman or the Maryland congress person, I would like the info for contacting them to approve this bill please. I have been told by vet that the insurances out there would not have covered any of our problems. I will do what we need for our poodles, they are part of our family. v gartside, MD
What a great idea! Too many pets aren’t receiving proper health care because other family expenses take priority.
WOOFWOOF
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