New Legislation Aimed to Provide Tax Deductions for Pet Care Expenses

New Legislation Aimed to Provide Tax Deductions for Pet Care Expenses

From Examiner.com:   A measure introduced by U.S. Representative Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich) aims to make pet care expenses tax-deductible, The Michigan Messenger reports.  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. The bill has been referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means. You can view all the details of HR 3501 here.

Top 10 Reason NOT to Travel with Your Pets

I was reading an article in PSI’s Pet Sitters World, by Thom Somes, “The Pet Safety Guy” with PetTech CPR, First Aid and Care For Your Pets, and I wanted to share some highlights for reasons you may not want to travel with your pets.  They are as follows:

TOP 10:

10 Accommodations.  Some hotels limit the number, and pounds the pet can weigh.   Also, some have a disclaimer the pet must not be left alone in the room.  You can’t always take your best friend with you everywhere such as to a nice restaurant.  Some beaches will not allow pets or if they do, it’s certain hours of the day.

9 Plane Trips.  Pets have to travel in a crate with a recent health certificate from your veterinarian.  Some airlines will not allow pets in cargo.  It has been said that a pet can sit on the tarmac for hours in the snow, rain or heat.  Even some medications can have amplifying effect on “kitty downers”.  As written in the article, “Unless you can guarantee conditions and book a direct flight, let your pet stay home and watch the Travel Channel“.

8 Car Trips. Dangers in and outside the car.  Heat stroke, air bag deployment, getting hit by a car, insects or debris flying into their eyes while they stick their heads outside.  We all know how cute it is to see a dog in a car with his head sticking out of the window.  Can you image if we drove around with our heads sticking out of the window?  I guess if you ever had a motor cycle with no headgear covering your mouth or eyes you know exactly what happens to a dog. 

7 Identification. Lost pets in strange cities, make cause pet to become disoriented, and it may act in ways that put it in a greater risk of being hurt, killed or picked up by strangers.

6 Behavior. Sometimes even the best trained pet may not listen to simple commands such as sit.  They can be come stressed because of unfamiliar areas.

5 Food and Water.Even dogs can get montezuma revenge from drinking local water.  Unless you plan to take your own food and water, it would be best to keep your pet at home.

4 Dangers, Diseases and Illness.There are all kinds of diseases, from allergies to ticks to mosquitoes, to poison ivy your pet can carry on his coat.  Don’t forget about the skunks, snakes, poisonings, and giardia are just a few of the many hazards in store for the unprepared pet traveler.

3 Leashes and Laws.Be sure you know about state, and local laws regarding the leashing of your pets.  Please “keep your pets on a leash and obey the law or keep them at home”.

2 Emergencies and Veterinarians. If you pet gets hurt it is important that you know pet first and the local emergency animal facility is where you will be traveling.  Sure way to ruin a vacation is if your pet has to stay in an emergency animal facility.  Keep your pet safely at home.

1 You have a Pet Sitters International Member caring for your pet! Hiring a professional pet sitter gives you the peace of mind that your pets are at home safely being cared for by a professional pet sitter, such as us here at 2 Paws Up Pet Sitting.  We can leave the TV tuned to Animal Planet, leave the radio on tuned to their favorite music or talk radio station. 

If you do choose to travel with your pets, follow the do’s and don’ts and keep your pets best interest in mind.  If you choose to leave them with us, you can always come home a day early and spend quality time with your pets.  You can always send your pets a post card or even send one to the pet sitter.

If you would like the original article please email me at info@2pawsupinc.com or if you do take your pet and find you need a sitter where you are staying, you can always check the pet sitter locator at www.petsit.com. 

You also contact Pet Tech at 760-930-0309 or email at info@pettech.net or visit their website at www.pettech.net.

Help Your (Wild) Neighbors!

In the summer we spend more time outdoors and often see more wildlife than at other times of year. There are a number of things you can do with your family to help your (wild) neighbors!

•  Leave nests, dens, and baby animals alone! Mama is probably watching from nearby.
•  Do not feed wild animals. They will stop looking for food on their own. If you choose to feed wild birds, be sure to continue feeding them throughout the winter months.
•  Do not allow your dogs or cats to wander. Besides the possible dangers to your pet, many of our wild neighbors, including birds, squirrels, raccoons, and even deer, are killed by roaming pets each year.
•  Clean up all trash when you are outdoors. This includes plastics or foils with food remains and party decorations such as ribbon or balloons, all very dangerous for animals tempted to try eating them!
•  Contact your local wildlife rehabilitation center to see how you can help—either by volunteering time or by giving donations. www.spotsociety.org/atl_shelter_list.htm

10 Tips for Walking your Dog

1. Do not feed your dog before you walk them. The activity may upset their stomachs’ and they may vomit on the walk. Feeding them after the walk completes the dogs’ need to feel like they are earning their food.
2. When getting ready for the morning walk, call the dog(s) to you, do not go to them. This is one way to show them you are in charge.
3. Always make sure that you leave the house in front of your pet. This sets the tone in your mind, and the dog(s), that you are the one in control and they should follow, not lead.
4. When the dog leaves the house do not allow them to charge out the door. This shows that they are out of your control. If they do, take them back into the house, make them sit in front of the doorway, and wait for your command to come out of the house.
5. Do not let your dog walk you. You should always keep your dog walking beside you or behind you. This tells the dog that you are in control.
6. Avoid using extended leashes, because they allow your dog to walk too far away from you to have proper control over the dog.
7. If you have trouble controlling your dog when people or other dogs come near you, using a pinch collar might be a solution to maintaining control over your pet. Pinch collars do not harm your dog, but they do enable you to be the master over your pet in difficult situations. There are numerous collars on the market. Choosing the one that works best for you and your dog will make it a happier experience. Check with a dog trainer. There are good trainers. If you are looking for a trainer give us a call at 404-354-9202 and we can refer you to a few.
8. If you are having problems with dogs fighting Cesar Milan, the Dog Whisperer, recommends walking them together as a pack and correcting them as you are walking for any unwanted behaviors.
9. Do not take treats with you. This tells the dog he does not have to behave when there is no treat available. They can tell when you have treats on you.
10. Make sure to walk your dog daily as this keeps them more mentally stable. They get some needed exercise and interaction with you. (http://www.dogbreedinfo.com/articles/dogwalk.htm).

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