Furry deductables

I just spent like 3 hours doing my taxes.  For part of that time my dogs were running suicide laps through the house, Petunia baying at the top of her lungs.  I thought, damn I wish I could claim them.  I'll admit it just once.  I have 5 dogs and 8 cats.  That doesn't include the rescues also currently staying here.  That's a lot of dog food.  I figure close to 200lbs a month right now.  And cat food, cat litter, dog treats, bones, paper towels, wee wee pads, bleach, fill dirt, laundry etc.  I love it, I'm not complaining (well a little).  It takes a lot of time and even more money but I wouldn't have it any other way.  I've spent thousands at my vet alone this year.  And the majority of that is at cost. That doesn't include the stuff she did for free and other vets have donated for free.

All that said I spent a bit of the past few hours thinking how nice it would be if I could deduct some of that expense.  I might be able to go out for a steak once and a while.  Or replace that couch the cats ate.  It is being proposed, a 3500$ credit for pet(s).  I thought that was amazing... then I got to thinking about it.

I see the neglect, ignorance & abuse mankind heaps on what it considers "lesser beings".  Its why I do what I do.  I also see what happens to the neglected, impoverished children.  Kids kept around for the welfare check and other government assistance and credit.  I think animals will suffer the same fate if allowed to be a deduction.  Get a free or cheap pet, spend $100 getting the required stuff to prove its yours and your 3500$ tax credit can live in the yard and be fed when you think about it.  Better yet you can just turn it loose or kill it once you've gotten your monies worth.  I think the pet deductible is a bad bad idea.  I'd rather keep working 2 jobs and 50 hours a week and buying dog food before groceries if it would save even one life.

Beside that, his whole proposal looks like a joke....