Legislative re-write

Cat/dog food tax could lower amount of feral cats


A tax on pet food would raise money to help provide spay and neuter surgeries to feral cats and pets of low-income families, according to a bill introduced to the Washington State Legislature.

Rick Hall, with the group Save Washington Pets, drafted a bill with his group and introduced it to the Legislature early this year.

Two identical copies of the bill were introduced, Bill 5329 in the Senate and its companion, Bill 1406 in the House of Representatives.

“The bill would pay veterinarians and animal hospitals to provide low cost spay and neuter services for cats and dogs of low-income pet owners, and for the spay/neuter of feral cats,” lead sponsor Sen. Craig Pridemore said. “It would be a voluntary program.”

Each surgery would cost between $10 and $15, Pridemore said. Without the bill, surgeries could cost twice as much, or more.

The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.

This fee would be $57 per ton of cat or dog food.

“That is about 3 cents a pound, or about 1 cent a meal,” Pridemore said.

Before introducing the bills, Save Washington Pets contacted several legislators, animal shelters and other animal groups, Hall said.

“We have a good number of sponsors,” he said.

"I would love to decrease the number of animals who are euthanized every year and especially deal with the problem of feral cats, most of whom are dumped by unwanting families," Pridemore said.

The bill would receive funding from a tax put on cat and dog food, Pridemore said.

The bill has been garnering support both in and out of the Legislature.

“We are real happy with the increasing number of people who think it is a good idea,” Hall said. “We have over 50 organizations that have endorsed the bill.”

One of the supporters is Dr. Marty Becker, the contributing vet on ABC’s Good Morning America and a WSU Veterinary school graduate.

“It is a great idea,” he said. “We all have a chance to pay a little bit to fix a big problem.”

As for the fee, Becker said it would most likely not be a burden for most pet owners, and that most would likely want to help out.

“I don’t think it would be even noticeable,” said Becker, who was given the national title of Veterinarian of the Year in 2002. “I think most pet owners would gladly contribute. Most people do things in memory of their pets, so I think they would do things to thank the pets they already have.”

Despite its supporters, Pridemore is skeptical of the bill’s success in the Legislature itself.

“It is unlikely to pass because of the fee,” he said. “The anti-tax folks have raised such a stink about any tax or fees in recent years that even a modest one like this, directed against a clear problem, is very difficult to get votes for.”

The bill is currently being reviewed by the Committee on Agriculture and Rural Economic Development, Pridemore said, and leader Sen. Brian Hatfield may not hold a vote.

“If there isn’t an affirmative vote out of that committee in the next two years it will die in committee,” he said. “Right now, I am guessing that will happen.”

Hall said that Save Washington Pets is not giving up.

“We are hopeful because it is a compelling reason,” he said. “The funding source is challenging because of the current state of the budget and economy, but it is a modest fee. It is equitable and fair, and not burdensome. We are doing everything we can. It is truly a matter of life and death and not something that should want. We could be saving animals lives.”

Hall urged people that are interested in giving their support to visit the groups Web site at www.savewashingtonpets.com and to contact their local legislators to let them know that their support is wanted.