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GVMA Legislative Alert
OPPOSE THE PET TAX
HOUSE BILLS 385-388
Take Action by Contacting your Legislator Today
Please join our veterinary practice and Georgia Veterinary Medical Association as we oppose House Bills 385, 386, 387 & 388, which will tax "veterinarian expenses for pets." Veterinarians are the only healthcare group targeted. Currently, veterinary services are not taxed; only medications and supplies are taxed.
*Should the proposed pet tax become written into law, pet owners could see veterinary bills increase 7% to 8% due to taxation.*
How you can help:
1. Identify your legislator via http://www.legis.ga.gov
2. Write a letter requesting that the legislator oppose any effort to impose Pet Tax. See the sample letter & message points included.
3. Enlist your fellow pet owners and animal lovers to do the same!
4. Media inquiries or questions? Please refer any media inquiries to GVMA. We have dedicated, media trained spokespersons to ensure consistent messaging. We welcome your questions at 678-309-9800 or
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
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Sample letter
Your address (or use letterhead stationary)
Date
The Honorable John Doe
344 Legislative Office Building
Atlanta, GA 30339
Dear Representative (or Senator) Doe:
As a pet owner, I am writing to express my concern regarding House Bill 385, the proposed pet tax.
(Include one or two concise paragraphs describing your concerns). With this in mind, I respectfully ask that you oppose any effort to impose a tax on veterinary services. Your consideration of this matter would be truly appreciated.
Sincerely,
Polly Pet Owner
Tips for a great letter
- Mail or fax your letter. Letters carry more weight than e-mails.
- Be succinct. Message points, below, are provided to give you ideas for your letter.
- Explain how the proposed tax would impact the health of the animals in your care and potentially the public health of your community.
Message points
Pets are often abandoned to shelters when owners can no longer afford their care. Animal shelter populations are increasing beyond capacity, yet counties are cutting budgets. In the past two years, the number of cats and dogs euthanized at animal shelters in the five core metro counties has risen 24 percent. Almost 30,000 cats and dogs were euthanized in Clayton, Cobb, Dekalb, Fulton and Gwinnett counties alone last year.
Rescue groups and animal shelters --How will an across the board increase in medical care affect your program?
No other professionals are being targeted by this legislation. Medical services have long been exempt from taxation at the state and federal level.
Taxing veterinary services has been proposed by several states in the past few years (CA, ME, MI, PA), and this was rejected by legislators as contrary to the best interests of citizens of those states.
In the current economy, animal owners must make difficult decisions regarding the welfare of their pets and/or horses. Adding sales tax to veterinary services may force owners to forego life-saving procedures and opt for economic euthanasia.
Nearly two out of every three households have a pet, and a majority of pet owners have more than one. A tax on veterinary services could have a substantial financial impact on responsible veterinary care of pets.
The public health and safety will be at risk. According to the Center for Disease Control (CDC), more than 80% of diseases in humans originate in animals. Studies show that veterinarians are most likely to identify these zoonotic diseases. A recent nationwide study by Bayer Animal Health showed that routine veterinary checkups have declined in the past years due to the economy. Increased expenses will intensify this trend, causing pet owners to forego veterinary care. Pet abandonment will
increase, and many pets will be euthanized. |
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Press Release - West Bank Cats - No More Relocation |
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Trap, Neuter, Return rejected by Lanier Army Corps
Cumming, GA (May 4, 2010) – The Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals and the Humane Society of Forsyth County announced today that they will no longer work with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to relocate feral cats from West Bank Park at Lake Lanier after the Corps refused to consider a trap, neuter, return (TNR) plan for the remaining cats. "Volunteers and employees from both the Humane Society of Forsyth County and the Georgia Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals have worked tirelessly for three weeks, in conjunction with Forsyth County Animal Control, to trap and relocate 30 cats and kittens from West Bank Park, with the understanding that the Corps of Engineers would consider a trap, neuter and return (TNR) program to permanently reduce the population of cats in the park. We were extremely disappointed that our proposal to implement TNR as an effective, humane solution to control the cat population in the park was rejected by Corps of Engineers representative Chris Lovelady, on Thursday. Despite the successful use of TNR in other communities in Georgia and around the country, the Corps is steadfast in the misguided belief that they can completely eliminate the cats from the park," said Jill Gooch, Executive Director of the Humane Society of Forsyth County.
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Read more...
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H.B. 788 A Bill to Ban Gas Chambers in Georgia PASSED! |
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This news article comes from the Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare, an independent organization not affiliated with the Humane Society of Forsyth County. HSFC is not directly engaged in lobbying activities.
On the last day of the 2010 legislative session, HB 788, April 29th, 2010, a bill to ban gas chambers in Georgia PASSED!!!!!!
H.B. 788 was amended and voted on to change the effective date to end the use of gas chambers to euthanize cats and dogs in shelters to be effective December 31, 2010. The General Assembly, including both the Georgia House of Representatives and Senate, passed by majority vote to END THE USE OF GAS CHAMBERS PERMANENTLY IN THE ENTIRE STATE OF GEORGIA!!!!!
The bill now goes to Governor Sonny Perdue to be signed into law.
We express our sincere gratitude to Representative Thomas (Tom) Knox, HB 788 bill sponsor, and Mr. Terry Hobbs, our lobbyist, whose dedication, commitment, and hard work enabled this to happen.
To all of the Georgia Voters whose voices were heard on behalf of those who cannot speak for themselves, thank you for your support! Please remember to thank your Representative and Senator if they supported this bill.
Gratefully,
Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare |
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H.B. 788 was Passed in Committee |
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This news article comes from the Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare, an independent organization not affiliated with the Humane Society of Forsyth County. HSFC is not directly engaged in lobbying activities.
We are pleased to announce that this bill was passed in committee by the Senate Regulated Industries & Utilities Committee.
The bill will be debated/presented in the Georgia Senate Wednesday, April 21st to be voted on by the full Senate.
Here is what we need you to do now:
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Read more...
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H.B. 788 passed in the House of Representatives |
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This news article comes from the Georgia Voters for Animal Welfare, an independent organization not affiliated with the Humane Society of Forsyth County. HSFC is not directly engaged in lobbying activities.
H.B. 788 passed by an overwhelming majority on March 17th in the House of Representatives!!!!! Your voices were heard speaking on behalf of the animals.
This bill now moves to the Senate and has been assigned to Regulated Industries and Utilities Committee.
1. ONLY IF YOU ARE A CONSTITUENT OF A MEMBER IN THE REGULATED INDUSTRIES AND UTILITIES COMMITTEE, please call your Senator and politely ask that they pass this bill as it is written favorably from this committee.
2. ALL OTHER GEORGIA VOTERS, PLEASE WRITE, FAX OR CALL YOUR SENATOR (please, do not email) AND RESPECTFULLY ASK FOR A YES VOTE for H.B. 788 when it goes to the Senate floor for a vote.
To find your Senator, follow these instructions:
1. Go to www.legis.ga.gov
2. Click “Find Your Legislator” under the picture of the Capitol
3. Click “Vote-Smart”
4. On the left, under the box “Find Your Representative” type in your zip code, click GO
5. If you do not know your +4 ZIP, on the right side of this screen click “Don’t know your 9 digit zip” follow the instructions then go back to legislative site and type it in under “Find Your Representative” click GO
6. Under “State Legislative” click your Senator’s name in blue
7. On the next screen, to the right and bottom, click “Complete Contact Info”
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Senate
Regulated Industries and Utilities
Committee Members
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Shafer, David (R-SS 48)
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Chairman
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Unterman, Renee S (R-SS 45)
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Vice Chairman
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Harbison, Ed (D-SS 15)
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Secretary
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Butler, Gloria S. (D-SS 55)
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Member
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Carter, Earl "Buddy" (R-SS 01)
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Member
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Henson, Steve (D-SS 41)
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Member
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Hill, Jack (R-SS 04)
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Member
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Moody, Dan (R-SS 56)
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Ex-Officio
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Murphy, Jack (R-SS 27)
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Ex-Officio
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Seabaugh, Mitch (R-SS 28)
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Member
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Stoner, Doug (D-SS 06)
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Member
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Tolleson, Ross (R-SS 20)
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Ex-Officio
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Williams, Tommie (R-SS 19)
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Member
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Assigned Legislation 2009 Meeting Minutes Press Releases
Capitol Office:
- 421-F State Capitol
- Atlanta, GA 30334
- Phone: (404) 656-0048
- Fax: (404) 651-6768
- Legislative Assistant:
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