http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces;jsessionid=936206C269B5E4B8F4549017DF0665EB.ctgProd01?siteId=3&campaign=HAPPYAct3501
This is the address for one of the petitions for the HAPPY bill. There are several petitions out there, and anyone who rescues animals knows why. People are having to choose between keeping their homes and keeping their pets. The rescue community is overwhelmed and the adoptions are drying up. I still have the same cats available for adoptions as are posted below. Not being a 501(c)3, in order to show my cats at local adopt-a-thons, I have to coattail on another group. But they are all struggling to place their own animals and right now view me as competition for homes. Besides, they keep telling me, they know my cats will not just be dumped, and they get good care, they are safe where they are and IF adoptions ever pick up again, then I would be welcome to coattail. Til then, good luck.
Non-pet owners may not realize that this does affect them, and where their tax money is spent, but the pounds are budgeted by the cities and counties. Housing the numbers coming in is out of the question for many facilities, but killing them is costly, both in the direct monetary cost and the psychic damage done to the people who's job it is to kill a pet merely to make room. I know about that damage first hand, I used to have that job. I have nightmares of my approaching the pearly gates which is blocked by a large crowd of animals. The animals I killed because they were inconvenient to someone and we could no longer give them space. They are all shouting "She killed me". My doctor tells me I have PTSD. If I get treated for it, it will come directly from the taxpayer's pocket, as I am a veteran and the VA is my health care facility. How many others are treated for PTSD or depression on the taxpayer's dime? Most who do this job are either city or county employees with health care benefits, or employees of humane shelters on bare minimum wages so have to rely on state care. You can see how this even affects the pockets of people without pets and even those oddities who don't even like pets.
We need this passed, but it would be more helpful if there was a little tweaking done to it first so it helped the right group of people. Scroll down to my post of November 9th so that you can see how the bill would affect you, as it is, and so that you know what to ask your representative to do.
http://www.thehungersite.com/clickToGive/campaign.faces;jsessionid=936206C269B5E4B8F4549017DF0665EB.ctgProd01?siteId=3&campaign=HAPPYAct3501
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Angels
Just a little side note to Missy, written about yesterday here. My sister was reading one of the comments made about Missy and "angels unaware". She said to make sure everybody knew that every time she needed extra help with an animal, either the trainer, the vet, the hospital or the street name the vet is on has the name Angel. Missy is taking classes at PetsMart, and the trainer's name is Angel. The vet is also at PetsMart. My sister also was rescued the same week that we discovered the lump when the car wouldn't start. Her rescuer's name? Gabriel.
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Poor little Missy
Remember the little Yorkie that came strolling up to our door back in August? First she had to have mouth surgery because she showed evidence of being kicked in the mouth. A couple of teeth had to be removed, but the damage was taken care of without too many problems. Then just when she was to be spayed, she went into heat. Finally, this last week she was spayed. The vet also removed a lump on her breast that I had found. The results can back positive for cancer. The lab says she will have only a 16% chance of any future occurrence of it because they got it cleanly and we had found it early. I'm glad she is one of those dogs who flip onto their back for belly rubs, or I may not have felt it so early. I don't think my sister will let her be put up for adoption after this.
When we got the report, I had a few musings. Why was she wandering the streets? How did she got our address? How did she get guided to someone who, though barely making ends meet herself, would do what it took? What made my sister decide to buy the health insurance for Missy that made it possible for her to be able to get Missy in sooner rather than later? She has never bought that insurance before, but she said she just thought Missy might need it. Did Missy know something was wrong? We always remarked what a serious girl Missy is for a Yorkie. Now, though still bruised and sore from the surgery, her eyes have a much happier sparkle, and we are seeing hints of the normal mischievous Yorkie attitude.
Makes one marvel at the chain of events that happened to save this little girl. Or miracles.
When we got the report, I had a few musings. Why was she wandering the streets? How did she got our address? How did she get guided to someone who, though barely making ends meet herself, would do what it took? What made my sister decide to buy the health insurance for Missy that made it possible for her to be able to get Missy in sooner rather than later? She has never bought that insurance before, but she said she just thought Missy might need it. Did Missy know something was wrong? We always remarked what a serious girl Missy is for a Yorkie. Now, though still bruised and sore from the surgery, her eyes have a much happier sparkle, and we are seeing hints of the normal mischievous Yorkie attitude.
Monday, November 9, 2009
The Happy Act Deductions for pets, who will benefit?
Have you heard of the House bill that gives $3500 to pet owners? How does it affect you? Will you be able to benefit at all? First read the bill (it's short, I promise, don't worry if you don't understand the technical jargon). Then scroll down and read my blog about it. Remember, I'm a tax pro, this is my take on the bill as it looks like it would be implemented, if of course, it would pass.
Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act (Introduced in House)
Have you heard of the bill that gives $3500 to pet owners? How does it affect you? Will you be able to benefit? First read the bill, then scroll down for my blog about it.
HR 3501 IH
111th CONGRESS 1st Session H. R. 3501
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for pet care expenses.
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
Mr. MCCOTTER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means
A BILL
To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to allow a deduction for pet care expenses.
Who exactly can claim this deduction? Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) refers to itemized deductions on Schedule A. This doen't help the average joe without a mortgage, property taxes and medical expenses. It is also slated to go into a section that is subject to the 2% floor (the amount to be subtracted from the section amount). If you have say $50,000 adjusted gross income, before exemptions for dependents and yourself, and had no other deductions in that section, you would be able to deduct 2,500 (2% of $50,000 is $1,000). Add all your other deductions such as charities (with receipts only , please), medical expenses (again subject to the 2% floor, subtract that $1000 to see if you can claim those expenses), own a home, pay state taxes (reduce by refund of previous year), property tax, vehicle license (only the tax), cost of having your taxes prepared last year and a host of other, usually small deductions. If this amount doesn't exceed the standard deduction (for 2008 taxes it was $5700 for single or married filing separate; $11,400 for married filing joint; and $8350 for head of household) don't take it, unless you are in the very rare position of being required to.
People who really need this deduction, those who don't have a deduction for their home, can't afford health insurance, and haven't seen a doctor in umpteen years, are not going to see any benefit whatever from this bill, unless before it gets passed, someone gets smart and puts the deduction above the line (before the gross income line), or as a credit against tax due, which could bring your tax down to $0. Best yet would be a refundable credit which means if there is any left after tax is deducted, you get it as a refund. All this would mean that you would not be able to file a 1040EZ, but for a bigger refund, or less taxes paid, that isn't so bad.
Animals are still being dumped or are suffering because their owners can't afford food or vet care. If this money was put into the hands of those who really needed it, city and county shelters would not be so overwhelmed with incoming animals. This influx of animals costs a lot, in housing, feed, emergency care, even killing the animals is not cheap. The cost to the people who work with the animals is great, emotionally and physically, and is especially devastating when they get laid off because the cost of dealing with the influx, the cost of larger number of call outs for abandonment and neglect, and even plain out and out cruelty, the lower adoption numbers, the loss of the revenue from vaccines and licenses, all add up to shelters running out of money and having to lay off personnel. Many charity shelters have closed already, many more probably will as they become overstuffed and underfunded. When these charities close, the government run shelters have to take up the slack. They have to, it's the law in most places, it's the mandate and the legal liabilities if they did not and someone was injured or killed could bankrupt a city. More cost, more dead.
Remember, everyone pays taxes, in one way or another. When you file your income tax, you probably only look at your refund line, but don't forget to look at the taxes due line. It can surprise you how much that really is. Even those receiving EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) would get more if they had no tax due. Some, of course, are already at zero tax due, but not most. Even if you don't pay any income tax, though, you still pay plenty of taxes. Take bread for instance. When you buy a loaf of bread, you pay a portion of the farmer's taxes, the flour maker's taxes (and those of the other ingredients), the breadmaker's taxes, the store's taxes the truck companies' taxes (for each step of the way) and the of course all of the sales taxes. charged when you buy the bread. That doesn't include any other taxes that increase the overhead along the way.
Don't let anybody tell you that this is a needless bill, that Representative Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia, MI should be focusing on jobs, and not spending our money. Remind them how much money this could save the cities and counties especially if this was a credit available to the falling middle class, bypassed by almost all tax credits as it is, but the very ones who would benefit the most. Remind them of the people who care enough for their pets that they will sacrifice their food and medicine to care for their beloved animals. Remind them that heartbreak has very real health consequences, as does guilt if those animals are abandoned to a system that must kill them because they also lack money.
Tell your representative to vote yes, but also to make this at least an above the line credit. Tell them this will save your city and your county money. Tell them it will save jobs. Tell them it will save your emotional and physical well-being. And if they care, tell them it will save lives.
Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act (Introduced in House)
Have you heard of the bill that gives $3500 to pet owners? How does it affect you? Will you be able to benefit? First read the bill, then scroll down for my blog about it.
HR 3501 IH
July 31, 2009
Mr. MCCOTTER introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Ways and Means - Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
- This Act may be cited as the `Humanity and Pets Partnered Through the Years (HAPPY) Act'.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
- The Congress finds the following:
- (1) According to the 2007-2008 National Pet Owners Survey, 63 percent of United States households own a pet.
- (2) The Human-Animal Bond has been shown to have positive effects upon people's emotional and physical well-being.
SEC. 3. DEDUCTION FOR PET CARE EXPENSES.
- (a) In General- Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) is amended by redesignating section 224 as section 225 and by inserting after section 223 the following new section:
`SEC. 224. PET CARE EXPENSES.
- `(a) Allowance of Deduction- In the case of an individual, there shall be allowed as a deduction for the taxable year an amount equal to the qualified pet care expenses of the taxpayer during the taxable year for any qualified pet of the taxpayer.
- `(b) Maximum Deduction- The amount allowable as a deduction under subsection (a) to the taxpayer for any taxable year shall not exceed $3,500.
- `(c) Qualified Pet Care Expenses- For purposes of this section, the term `qualified pet care expenses' means amounts paid in connection with providing care (including veterinary care) for a qualified pet other than any expense in connection with the acquisition of the qualified pet.
- `(d) Qualified Pet- For purposes of this section--
- `(1) QUALIFIED PET- The term `qualified pet' means a legally owned, domesticated, live animal.
- `(2) EXCEPTIONS- Such term does not include any animal--
- `(A) used for research or owned or utilized in conjunction with a trade or business, or
- `(B) with respect to which the taxpayer has claimed a deduction under section 162 or 213 in any of the preceding 3 taxable years.'.
- (b) Clerical Amendment- The table of sections for part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking the last item and inserting the following new items:
- `Sec. 224. Pet care expenses.
- `Sec. 225. Cross reference.'.
- (c) Effective Date- The amendments made by this section shall apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2009.
Who exactly can claim this deduction? Part VII of subchapter B of chapter 1 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to additional itemized deductions for individuals) refers to itemized deductions on Schedule A. This doen't help the average joe without a mortgage, property taxes and medical expenses. It is also slated to go into a section that is subject to the 2% floor (the amount to be subtracted from the section amount). If you have say $50,000 adjusted gross income, before exemptions for dependents and yourself, and had no other deductions in that section, you would be able to deduct 2,500 (2% of $50,000 is $1,000). Add all your other deductions such as charities (with receipts only , please), medical expenses (again subject to the 2% floor, subtract that $1000 to see if you can claim those expenses), own a home, pay state taxes (reduce by refund of previous year), property tax, vehicle license (only the tax), cost of having your taxes prepared last year and a host of other, usually small deductions. If this amount doesn't exceed the standard deduction (for 2008 taxes it was $5700 for single or married filing separate; $11,400 for married filing joint; and $8350 for head of household) don't take it, unless you are in the very rare position of being required to.
People who really need this deduction, those who don't have a deduction for their home, can't afford health insurance, and haven't seen a doctor in umpteen years, are not going to see any benefit whatever from this bill, unless before it gets passed, someone gets smart and puts the deduction above the line (before the gross income line), or as a credit against tax due, which could bring your tax down to $0. Best yet would be a refundable credit which means if there is any left after tax is deducted, you get it as a refund. All this would mean that you would not be able to file a 1040EZ, but for a bigger refund, or less taxes paid, that isn't so bad.
Animals are still being dumped or are suffering because their owners can't afford food or vet care. If this money was put into the hands of those who really needed it, city and county shelters would not be so overwhelmed with incoming animals. This influx of animals costs a lot, in housing, feed, emergency care, even killing the animals is not cheap. The cost to the people who work with the animals is great, emotionally and physically, and is especially devastating when they get laid off because the cost of dealing with the influx, the cost of larger number of call outs for abandonment and neglect, and even plain out and out cruelty, the lower adoption numbers, the loss of the revenue from vaccines and licenses, all add up to shelters running out of money and having to lay off personnel. Many charity shelters have closed already, many more probably will as they become overstuffed and underfunded. When these charities close, the government run shelters have to take up the slack. They have to, it's the law in most places, it's the mandate and the legal liabilities if they did not and someone was injured or killed could bankrupt a city. More cost, more dead.
Remember, everyone pays taxes, in one way or another. When you file your income tax, you probably only look at your refund line, but don't forget to look at the taxes due line. It can surprise you how much that really is. Even those receiving EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit) would get more if they had no tax due. Some, of course, are already at zero tax due, but not most. Even if you don't pay any income tax, though, you still pay plenty of taxes. Take bread for instance. When you buy a loaf of bread, you pay a portion of the farmer's taxes, the flour maker's taxes (and those of the other ingredients), the breadmaker's taxes, the store's taxes the truck companies' taxes (for each step of the way) and the of course all of the sales taxes. charged when you buy the bread. That doesn't include any other taxes that increase the overhead along the way.
Don't let anybody tell you that this is a needless bill, that Representative Thaddeus McCotter of Livonia, MI should be focusing on jobs, and not spending our money. Remind them how much money this could save the cities and counties especially if this was a credit available to the falling middle class, bypassed by almost all tax credits as it is, but the very ones who would benefit the most. Remind them of the people who care enough for their pets that they will sacrifice their food and medicine to care for their beloved animals. Remind them that heartbreak has very real health consequences, as does guilt if those animals are abandoned to a system that must kill them because they also lack money.
Tell your representative to vote yes, but also to make this at least an above the line credit. Tell them this will save your city and your county money. Tell them it will save jobs. Tell them it will save your emotional and physical well-being. And if they care, tell them it will save lives.
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Happy Halloween
It seems more kids will be on the streets this Halloween, at least if Tuscon is any indication. Some of our most popular safe events have been cancelled, including the big one given by the police and firemen at the baseball park. Thousands of kids have gone there for years, and more thousands to the Rodeo grounds. Both are shut down this year due to lack of funds. There is the event at the university, but nothing else really big, so that leaves house to house trick or treating to fall back on. Before you take your kids out, parents, take the time to look up local sex offenders and then make sure you avoid their houses. In years past, the police had them all come to a special event that kept them away from kids, but I guess that was cancelled, too.
Kids, make sure you look both ways crossing the streets, stay with the group, and even though tonight (and only tonight), you get to take candy from strangers, remember to have your parents check that candy before you eat it.
Kids, make sure you look both ways crossing the streets, stay with the group, and even though tonight (and only tonight), you get to take candy from strangers, remember to have your parents check that candy before you eat it.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Do You think black cats are unlucky?
Due to popular request, this post has been repeated for Halloween. Thank you for the many kind remarks. And yes, the black cats are still available to the right homes.
Please fell free to copy, link or use this post.
A bride will have a happy married life if a black cat sneezes near her on her wedding day.
Old Proverb
For some reason, here in the United States, black cats are the hardest cats to adopt out. Maybe because here they are generally viewed to be unlucky, weavers of black magic, in league with the devil and familiars of witches. But in many parts of the world, they are the luckiest of cats.
Do you believe that a black cat crossing your path is bad luck? In some countries such as Britain and Japan it is just plain lucky. It may be seen as visible proof that evil has passed you by without harming you, or even that the cat is warning you of danger ahead, and maybe even slowing your step so that you may miss the danger itself. Some people believe that in order for the cat to be lucky or to ward evil from your path, you must greet the cat politely. That's just good manners, and cats do appreciate good manners.
A black cat walking towards you brings good luck with it. If it turns away, your anti-luck forcefield is working strong. Be prepared.
In Latvia, the farmers rejoice when they see a black cat in their grain silos. It is believed to be a sign of Rungis, the god of harvests. For any mice in the silo, they are also unlucky to those who's path the cat crosses, or for those who cross the path of the cat for that matter.
Sailors and their wives used black cats for luck. While a sailor was at sea, keeping a black cat in the house was a way a wife could keep her husband safe at sea. These lucky charms became so valuable that they were often stolen. What I want to know is if another woman merely stole your black cat's affections? Would that be a sign she was your husband's mistress, stealing his affections? Just a thought.
King Charles I believed his black cat was so lucky, he had guards posted to protect it. He may have been right. The day after the cat died of an illness, the king was arrested by Oliver Cromwell's troops to be executed shortly after.
Onyx
It is unlucky to chase a black cat away or to send it out of your house. Of course it is unlucky. It's just plain rude, and rudeness attrects bad karma.
On the other hand, in Scotland it is thought that when you come home to find a black cat sitting on your porch, you are going to be happy. Especially if it is your black house cat that snuck out earlier and that you have given up for lost, and you cried and cried and...wellllll anyway, it is also supposed to be a sign of riches to come. And nothing is richer than a lap full of purring black velvet to stroke. And stroking the fur of a black cat brings you health. It really does. Stroking a cat has been proven to lower your blood pressure, help stave off heart attacks and strokes, help recovery from same, help those with dementia or autism. A cat can even help you fight depression. If you don't know how good it feels to be loved for just you, you need a little black cat who just wants to love on you. And I have three of them waiting for homes now. They even come in a range of love bug types. They are like the 3 bears. Ebonetta, the longest fur of the three wants to be your companion, staying close, talking to you, helping you do things, telling you about things like the train passing by and going where you go, but she isn't one to smother you. Onyx, the shortest haired one (with the goldest eyes) is the other extreme. He's a buddy, and he neeeeds you. When you hold him, he wraps around you. He loves to hug and be hugged. He even goes so far as to wrap himself around your feet when you try to leave him. Jet, the littlest is in the middle. He likes an audience, he calls you to let you know he is going to the bathroom, he wants to sit on your lap, and he likes to snuggle, but he also likes to play.
These three kittens, and other cats besides are available for adoption. Please contact me here or at my email rossmary@rocketmail.com if you are interested.
Jet
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