Tuesday, May 05, 2015
Last week, a committee of the Connecticut General Assembly approved Senate Bill 946 that would extend Connecticut’s sales tax to veterinary services. The Connecticut Veterinary Medical Association (CVMA) opposes the bill. All concerned Connecticut dog owners are encouraged to contact their state legislator and Governor Malloy to express their concerns.
Providing veterinary care often relies on a pet owner’s discretionary income. Increasing the cost of veterinary care due to the imposition of a sales tax may lead to less veterinary care being sought by financially challenged animal owners, resulting in less care being provided to animals. Additionally, public health services for animals, including rabies immunizations and routine parasite screenings that are intended to protect the public health, will be reduced. This may raise the risk of threats to the public’s health and safety.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
First, Connecticut dog owners are encouraged to contact their legislator to express their concerns with the tax proposal. Go to http://www.cga.ct.gov/asp/menu/cgafindleg.asp and enter your address for your specific legislators’ contact information.
Second, contact Governor Dannel Malloy’s office and express concerns. Governor Malloy’s office may be contacted by phone at (860) 566-4840 or via email form at http://www.governor.ct.gov/malloy/cwp/view.asp?a=3998&q=479088&malloyNav=|.
The American Kennel Club will provide more information on the Connecticut tax proposal as it becomes available. For more information, contact AKC Government Relations at (919) 816-3720, or email doglaw@akc.org.
Increasing the cost of veterinary care due to the imposition of a sales tax may lead to less veterinary care being sought by financially challenged animal owners, resulting in less care being provided to animals. Additionally, public health services for animals, including rabies immunizations and routine parasite screenings that are intended to protect the public health, will be reduced.