Virginia legislation to protect animals may tax petfood for funding

Twentieth District Sen. Bill Stanley will introduce three bills in the upcoming General Assembly session that he says will protect animals and prevent cruelty. Senate Bill 698, which would amend the Code of Virginia to establish a fund to reimburse participating veterinarians for the surgical sterilizations they perform on eligible dogs and cats, would be funded by including a surcharge on producers of petfood.

An animal would be eligible for sterilization if it is a feral or free-roaming cat or is owned by a low-income individual or a releasing agency, such as an animal shelter. To pay for the fund, the bill would provide that a surcharge of US$50 per ton on producers of petfood distributed in the commonwealth be deposited in the fund, and that such petfood be exempted from the existing litter tax in order to offset the surcharge to producers so that they do not pass along any additional costs to the consumer.
SB 698 was pre-filed for the 2015 legislative session on Nov. 26, 2014. The bill will be considered by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Conservation & Natural Resources after the Virginia General Assembly convenes on January 14, 2015.

Increase in abandoned dogs blamed on Mexico's 'luxury tax' on petfood

A new 16 percent "luxury tax" on petfood in Mexico could lead to more abandoned and neglected dogs in Tijuana, according to a report.

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The tax is meant to help ease Mexico's budget woes. Pet ownership is viewed by the government as a luxury, therefore making the petfood tax a "luxury tax."
Josh Pratter, director of Baja Dog Rescue in Tijuana, said the group has started to see the result of the tax on the abandoned dog population.
"We're seeing a larger dog on the street now. Bigger dogs are consuming more food so it's more costly to have a bigger dog. They want a smaller dog so the cost is less on a weekly or monthly basis for them," Pratter said.

Help Petfood Forum Asia assist local Thai animal organizations

After record flooding in Bangkok last fall, many dogs and cats living on the streets were left without food or care. Organizations that help care for these pets in good times and bad still need help feeding and relocating them. SCADBangkok (SCAD stands for Soi Cats and Dogs, with "Soi" being the Thai word for alley) can use donations of dry and wet cat food, plus wet dog food, as well as monetary donations. The Soi Dog Foundation also needs financial support and pet food donations.
As part of PetfoodForum Asia in Bangkok on February 16, we will be collecting donations and forwarding to these two organizations, or you can donate directly to them. Please consider helping out!

Minnesota, USA, man faces charges for vegan pet food production

A Little Canada, Minnesota, USA, man faces 58 counts ranging from animal cruelty to practicing without a license after producing his own vegan pet food, according to a report by Minnesota's Fox news.
Prosecutors served Eric Weisman with a warrant for the criminal charges on June 15. When investigators searched Weisman's home in Little Canada, Minnesota, they said they found proof that Weisman was treating both animals and humans, despite not being a licensed doctor or veterinarian. Investigators also found unsanitary conditions and rodent drops when they searched his pet food business warehouse in St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, according to the report.
“He put his own clients’ lives at risk - and their pets at risk - by providing medical treatment and advice, promoting health benefits of this food that it doesn’t have,” said Mike Salter, a commander with the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office.
Officials said they plan to file additional charges in the case.
The news report says that Weisman read a prepared statement, in which he said that he sells "supplements and petfood, and not treatments" and informs those seeking information from him that he is not a medical doctor or veterinarian.

Proposed California petfood tax to fund animal abuser registration

The Animal Legal Defense Fund and Senate Majority Leader Dean Florez recently proposed legislation that would require California law enforcement to begin formally registering people convicted of animal cruelty or abuse.
Anyone convicted of a felony involving animal cruelty would be required to provide detailed personal information and a photograph to be posted online, according to The Monterey County Herald.
The funding for the proposed program is to come from a 2-3 cent tax on petfood, according to KFSN-TV.