This tax season, a citizen from Long Island, N.Y. is spearheading an effort to convince Congress that guardians should be able to claim dogs as a deduction on their income tax, just like children or any other dependent. IDA supports this proposal, as it promotes the recognition that animals are members of our family whose health and welfare we are responsible for, which is consistent with the concepts at the heart of our Guardian Campaign. Furthermore, we propose that, in addition to dogs, U.S. tax laws should allow guardians to claim tax deductions for cats and birds as well, as these are the three most popular animal companions in the nation.

Americans spend over $9 billion a year on veterinary care for their animal companions. Additional expenditures such as food, shelter, and other necessities collectively cost billions of dollars more. People can claim children and other human dependents on their taxes and pay the government less money. Yet animal companions remain ineligible for deductions, despite the fact that they depend on their guardians no less than children depend on their parents.

The government has been taking more steps toward recognizing how important animal companions are in people's lives. In the wake of Hurricane Katrina, in which hundreds of guardians refused to leave the disaster zone because rescue units would not allow them to take their animals to safety, legislators passed the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Standards (PETS) Act. The recent Menu Foods recall that has killed nearly 4,000 cats and dogs may prompt new laws to protect animals from future foodborne diseases. Allowing tax deductions for animal companions would fall squarely in line with this growing trend. 

Please "Take Action" to politely urge your federal legislators to propose a bill that would allow guardians to receive a tax deduction for animal companions. For maximum impact, please edit the sample letter so that it expresses your personal opinion. Also contact your elected officials by phone or postal mail.