When Michigan Republican Rep. Thaddeus McCotter and character actor, Robert Davi introduced the “Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years,” also known as the HAPPY Act, the bill promised a tax break of up to $650 for cat owners and $900 for dog owners.

The HAPPY Act caused huge concern from animal organizations like the Humane Society of the United States and the ASPCA. The HSUS calculated that over 63 percent of Americans owned a pet, so with a $3,500 tax break, the government would be paying $8 trillion a year, Today’s THV News reported.

Animal lovers are worried that people will take advantage of the tax break.

“I have one child, and the tax break usually for everybody is $1500, so, man! I know people have kids to get a better tax break, imagine what people will do with dogs, said Christopher Soto.

“I can see some abuse pretty easy, people running to get a dog from the pound, you know taking the dog off their taxes, then dumping the dog,” said Ray Howard to Today’s THV News.

Then, there are those who believe with the $8 trillion tax break, there has to be an increase of taxes somewhere else.

We’ll have to wait to see how Congress votes.

Learn more about the HAPPY Act here.

Image courtesy of Flickr: moonjazz

Share on Facebook

Republican Thaddeus McCotter introduced the HAPPY Act- the Humanity And Pets Partnered through the Years Act (HR 3501) on July 31, 2009. The bill would allow pet owners to deduct up to $3,500 a year for “qualified pet care expenses.”

According to the HAPPY Act, a qualified pet means a “legally owned, domesticated, and live animal,” but the act will not recognize animals “used for research or owned or utilized in conjunction with a trade or business or with respect to which the taxpayer has claimed a deduction under section 162 or 213 in any of the preceding 3 taxable years.”

The main focus of this bill would be responsible ownership and the Pet Industry Joint Advisory Council fully supports the bill. The HAPPY Act may decrease the amount of stray animals as well as animals who are being given to shelters because of tough financial times.

We’ll have to wait for the final bill. For now, read the current copy here.

Share on Facebook