Bill Makes Pet Adoption Fees Tax-Deductible

California lawmaker seeks to alleviate costs of dealing with abandoned cats and dogs.

Posted: April 15, 2009, 5 a.m. EDT

A new bill to allow individuals and families to deduct the cost of adopting pets from local government facilities and charitable organizations has been set to be heard before the California Assembly Revenue and Tax Committee on Monday, April 20.

As introduced, California Assembly Bill 233 would allow for taxable years beginning on or after Jan. 1, 2010, and before Jan. 1, 2015, a deduction for the adoption fees paid during the taxable year by taxpayers for pet adoption from a qualified animal rescue organization.

A “qualified animal rescue organization” is defined in the bill as any city, county, or city and county animal control agency or shelter, or an animal adoption organization that is exempt from taxation under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This measure seeks to curb the amount spent annually by local governments in dealing with abandoned cats and dogs, which is estimated at $100 million annually.

The deduction allowed may not exceed $300, the bill states. AB 233, introduced by Assemblyman Cameron Smyth, R-Santa Clarita, would take effect immediately as a tax levy.

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Give us your opinion on Bill Makes Pet Adoption Fees Tax-Deductible

KAREN MURPHY, TX

8/18/2011 5:27:49 PM

THIS IS A GREAT BILL THAT SHOULD BE PASSED. WE HAVE ADOPTED, RESCUED AND FOUND HOMES FOR MANY ABANDONED ANIMALS. THE COST ARE HIGH, SO HIGH WE HAVE ACTUALLY PAID MORE FOR AN ADOPTION AND DRIVEN TWO STATES AWAY TO PICK HER UP. WE HAVE FOUND STARVING ABANDONED PETS THAT HAVE GONE TO THE SPCA WHEN NO HOME COULD BE FOUND. YOU PAY A FEE TO RELINQUISH A PET EVEN IF IT IS NOT YOURS. WE ARE NOT WEALTHY BY ANY MEANS BUT FEEL A RESPONSIBILITY TO CARE FOR ANIMALS THAT OTHERS HAVE NOT. WITH A BILL PUT INTO ACTION THAT INABLES THOSE OF US WHO WOULD LIKE TO DO MORE THROUGH TAX DEDUCTIONS YOU WILL SOLVE TWO PROBLEMS, ONE THE OVER CROWDING OF RESCUE FAUCILITIES AND THE RELIEF FINANCIAL BURDENS LIMIT WHAT WE CAN ACTUALLY DO.

PFYP Sacramento, CA

9/27/2010 10:17:56 AM

AB 233 unfortunatly did not pass the Assembly of Appropriations. :(

sage statesboro, GA

4/14/2010 6:51:55 PM

I believe this is a wonderful idea. Some shelters charge higher adoption fees if the animal has been vaccinated or spayed/ neutered. I do not own adopted pets myself (mine were rescued off of the street), but it seems reasonable. Maybe more people would become more interested in adoption.

Heather Memphis, TN

11/2/2009 9:58:00 AM

Would this bill only be for CA residents? I adopted a puppy in MO, but live in TN... the fee was $450 (since he's a puppy) to offset the older dogs who will not go for as much.