As veterinarians, we frequently find ourselves in a unique position, at once weighing the essential needs of the animal population with very real economic concerns that affect our clients and ourselves on a daily basis. This year we are likely to face such challenges even more acutely, as the dissolute state of Maine’s economy places additional burdens upon our practices and our clients. Meanwhile, our state continues to scrounge for funding and looks to animal concerns as a target for budget-cutting.
Likely to be a major legislative issue on the horizon is funding for the animal welfare department, including the “Help Fix ME” program. Already in the past few months we have witnessed legislative efforts to attach a surtax onto individual rabies vaccinations and rabies vaccine at the distributor level. Both campaigns were vigorously opposed by the MVMA, and thanks to the efforts of Dr. Anne DelBorgo and Bill Bell, both plans have been withdrawn for the moment.
The MVMA will soon be asked to take a position on other funding measures facing the animal welfare department, such as a proposal to shift funds from the animal welfare department to the “Help Fix ME” initiative as well as ongoing disputes regarding taxing non-livestock animal foods and increasing dog licensing fees.
We are living in a state that appears to be geographically too large and underpopulated to adequately support its budgetary needs by means of the income and sales taxes it generates. Although the financial realities of our state’s economy necessitate difficult sacrifices for many departments, the residents of Maine are still a community capable of establishing clear principles that transcend economy. Maine people want welfare protection and low-cost spay and neuter services for the domesticated animal population. Thus it is time for Maine’s legislature to acknowledge the true significance of all animals—not just livestock—in the lives of Maine people. This means that all revenue gathered from any animal-related sales tax should be dedicated to the benefit of animals, namely via the animal welfare department for both its animal protective services and its “Help Fix ME” program.
Under the current system, all medications and supplies sold for the benefit of non-livestock animals are subject to sales tax, and this revenue is transferred into the general fund. None of this revenue benefits the animal population. Meanwhile the legislature considers taxing rabies vaccinations—an essential facet of the protection of our state’s animal and human public health—as a means of funding the animal welfare department.
As inappropriate as it is to consider a surtax on rabies vaccinations, it is also unjust to place the entire funding burden of the animal welfare department upon expenditures associated with only companion animals. The animal welfare department’s mandate covers all domesticated animals—companion animals and livestock. If we are truly to believe that our economy is in such a state that we all must all be prepared to make sacrifices, then livestock medication and supplies must also be subject to taxation and that revenue should also be used to fund the animal welfare department.
Finally, the argument can be put forth that if the general fund is bereft of its loss of revenue by transfer of the sales tax on animal medication to the animal welfare fund, then by all means append a sales tax upon human medication to more than compensate for this loss. If the economy is so bad, then let’s encourage the legislature to banish the unnatural hierarchy that currently exists. Healthcare is not a convenience, even if you’re a dog. Please contact your legislative representatives and have your clients do the same—animal welfare MUST be funded.
Please send all comments, arguments, complaints, rebuttals, handshakes, and cheers to:
Dr. Kate Steinhacker, 2009 MVMA President
drkatehousecalls@hotmail.com
(207) 712-8134
22 Atlantic Street Apt.3
Portland, ME 04101
About the President:
Dr. Steinhacker grew up on the East Coast and in the Western Rocky Mountains. Her family moved to Eastport, Maine full-time in 1984. She attended secondary school in Eastport, Calais, and subsequently Topsham, and then she went on to Columbia University (Columbia College) in New York City, where she graduated with a BA in history. The decision to become a veterinarian initiated 2 ½ additional years of science and math course work followed by an entire year living out of state to gain residency in a state with a veterinary school (Maine had zero seats at any veterinary school in 1997-98). Dr. Steinhacker attended the University of Wisconsin School of Veterinary Medicine in Madison, Wisconsin from 1998-2002. She returned to Maine immediately after graduation and worked in several Southern Maine veterinary practices. In 2004, Dr. Steinhacker studied acupuncture through the International Veterinary Acupuncture Society and opened Dr. Kate’s Housecalls for Dogs & Cats, a solo house call practice in the Greater Portland area with an emphasis on Integrative Medicine. Dr. Steinhacker has been active on the MVMA Executive Board since 2004.
"Old dogs, like old shoes, are comfortable. They might be a bit out of shape and a little worn around the edges, but they fit well."
~Bonnie Wilcox 'Old Dogs, Old Friends'