My opinion first: This is ridiculous! Services are services and are not taxable...if they tax this than you would think all services will end up being taxed soon (farrier, training, boarding, stud fees and breeding services, and not to mention things non-horse related like your own Dr visits etc...). CA is so money hungry!!!

One of my horse vets sent this info to me today…specifics regarding the proposal...

Say “No” to a tax on veterinary services!

Governor Schwarzenegger wants to raise millions by adding a tax on veterinary services. This will be reflected directly on YOUR BILL at the end of every visit with your veterinarian.

On November 6, 2008, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger called for an increase in the California state sales tax to address the multi-billion dollar deficit in the budget, and proposed a sales tax on all veterinary services. This was part of a larger combination of program cuts and revenue increases to balance the state budget.

This proposal could add approximately 9% to the cost of veterinary care. Many animals won’t get the necessary medical care and treatment they deserve because veterinary services will be more expensive. Pets are part of our families and a lot of families are already facing financial hardship in this weak economy. Increasing the cost of veterinary care will only lead to more animals being abandoned, or euthanized. It’s not fair for your pets to suffer because the state cannot balance its budget.

Here’s what you can do to help stop the tax on veterinary services!

Write letters, make phone calls, send emails, or fax your comments to the Governor and to your elected officials. If writing, try to personalize your letter and be brief. Let them know that pets are family members and this proposed tax will add a huge financial burden to your family. Ask that veterinary services be removedfrom the Governor’s proposal.

If you need assistance, go to the California Veterinary Medical Association website at www.cvma.net for additional facts and contact information. It is important that every pet owner be heard. Please take action today for your pets and write a letter. The Governor wants his proposal passed by the end of November so he needs to hear from you now! Please share this information with all of your friends and relatives that are pet owners.

Thank you!

West Coast Equine Medicine, Inc.
www.westcoastequinemedicine.com




• Write to the Governor and ask him to remove the proposed sales tax on veterinary services in his 2008-09 Special Session proposal.

• Send copies of your letter to key members of the legislature (listed below) as well as your local representatives, and ask them to oppose the sales tax proposal in the “Governor’s Budget: Special Session 2008-09” pertaining to veterinary services.

************************************************** **********************
The Honorable Arnold Schwarzenegger
Governor of California
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.558.3160 Fax

The Honorable Karen Bass, Speaker of the Assembly
State Capitol, Room 319
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.2147 Fax

The Honorable Don Perata, Senate President pro Tempore
State Capitol, Room 205
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.327.1997 Fax

The Honorable Darrell Steinberg, Senate President pro Tempore
State Capitol, Room 4035
Sacramento, CA 95815
916.323.2263

The Honorable Mike Villines, Assembly Republican Leader
State Capitol, Room 3104
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.319.2129 Fax

The Honorable Dave Cogdill, Senate Republican Leader
State Capitol, Room 3048
Sacramento, CA 95814
916.327.3523 Fax

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Sun Colors Ranch LLC
Home of: SBR Formula One
World Champion Dun Stallion

I believe in NJ you get taxed on that stuff.

I was taxed on boarding, and I'm pretty sure I was taxed on the vet bills too.

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In Alberta we get taxed on our vet bills.

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Tiffanny Fehr
Fehr Ground Ranch
Quality AQHA/FQHA Horses
www.fehrgroundranch.com

Its terrible that your government is thinking about doing this. Don't they realise that most animal owners have enough trouble trying to find the money to pay ever increasing vet bills as they are right now????

In Australia, we have 10% GST (goods and services tax) on most services and goods. GST applies to vet care as far as I'm aware so we are already paying extra to have a vet come around and treat our animals.

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When I bestride him, I soar, I am a hawk: he trots the air; the earth sings when he touches it; the basest horn of his hoof is more musical than the pipe of Hermes. ~William Shakespeare

I read this on a dog forum too. It is great, because they want to increase taxes on "luxury items" including vet care, car and furniture repairs and golf... Can you tell me which one of those items is a real luxury?? Yep, thought so to! Honestly, repairs and medical care are not luxuries! Even though they already seem like it considering the costs. I would prefer he would raise taxes on real luxuries, like, for example private jets, multiple homes etc. It would also help if they cut spending where they need to. What is next? Taxing medical care? Also, if they tax vet care they might get more money that way, but all that money will go into the care and (yikes!) euthanization of all the animals that won't be able to receive the proper care or will just be abandoned.

Here's a lesson for those smarties: The more money you leave to people, the more they are willing to spend and thus the better the economy. Hence, if you take money away from people, they will spend less and the economy goes down the drain. You can tax people when they have more money not less!

Can anyone tell me why they have such a big deficit? I'm curious. I know that the economy is bad for everyone, but why does California have such big trouble? What do they spend their money on?