A few years ago California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger called for a more limited waiting period from the time animals are impounded by public shelters until they are euthanized. (A waiting period is essential to allow owners to find lost animals or placement in a new home.)

The governor's reason then was cost cutting.  He backed off after a public outcry.

The governor is still trying to cut government costs at the expense of companion animals.  Gov. Schwarzenegger has announced a plan to broaden the state sales and use tax to include luxury items. Luxury items, according to the governor, includes veterinary services. Even essential care like routine exams, vaccinations and medications. Under the governor's proposal, these are luxuries to be taxed like golf and furniture repair.

It's hard enough to get many people to provide appropriate veterinary care for their animals. Adding to the cost of that care with a tax will mean more animals will get less care with a likelihood of increased diseases. Also, other owners, particularly those already hit hard by the economic downturn, will simply surrender the animals to public shelters where there is at least a 50% chance they will be euthanized and much higher if they require veterinary care. Needles to say, more animals filling the shelters will mean more animal control costs.

Pets have already taken the brunt of the economic crisis. Shelters are full of animals given up because their owners have lost their homes or jobs, or both. Shelters in California are reporting a 20-30% increase in impounded animals and a much higher percentage for large animals. Adoptions are down.

Let's not let fear or short sightedness drive us to take a step back in animal welfare. Call Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger at 916-445-2841 or send him a fax at 916-558-3160 and urge him to remove veterinary services from the items taxed as luxuries. Call on him to recognize veterinary care as essential to the health and welfare of our animals, our companions and friends. Call on him to avoid balancing the budget on the backs of innocent lives. You can also email the governor.

The California legislature is convening a special session to address the budget shortfall. Contact the governor and also legislators now.

For more information, visit http://www.socialcompassioninlegislation.org/