Check out this video of Kizzy, a Bengal who has been trained to perform a number of tricks. People often think getting cats to do anything is a struggle, but the reality is that they are no more difficult to train than dogs. You just need to approach it differently. Obviously Kizzy's owner found the magic key to unlocking his potential.
Monday, August 31, 2009
Sunday, August 30, 2009
Tax collector looking for pet breeders
The Bakersfield Californian recently ran a story about the California Board of Equalization's new push to collect taxes from people selling animals. According to the State of California, if someone makes more than two sales transactions during a 12-month period, they are considered a seller and need a permit and to pay sales tax to the state on the transactions.
I doubt many people in Kern County knew this law existed before the story ran. Now that they are aware, nearly all breeders asked find the law unfair.
Frankly, breeders cannot have it both ways. On the one hand, any time an ordinance is proposed breeders talk about their right to do as they wish with their pets, as pets are considered property in the eyes of the law. Now that they are being asked to pay sales tax on the "property" they sell, they are also crying foul. This is the part I don't get --- if I sell a car for $1,500, it's a given that the sales tax on that car has to be paid. Why shouldn't the same apply to the sale of a $1,500 puppy?
I've heard a local animal advocacy group may use the knowledge of the law as an impetus to track local ads for puppies and kittens and present the list to the BOE for tax collection purposes. If it succeeds in bringing more backyard breeders into the light of day, so people can see how many poorly bred, overpriced pups are changing hands in Kern County, I'm all for it.
I doubt many people in Kern County knew this law existed before the story ran. Now that they are aware, nearly all breeders asked find the law unfair.
Frankly, breeders cannot have it both ways. On the one hand, any time an ordinance is proposed breeders talk about their right to do as they wish with their pets, as pets are considered property in the eyes of the law. Now that they are being asked to pay sales tax on the "property" they sell, they are also crying foul. This is the part I don't get --- if I sell a car for $1,500, it's a given that the sales tax on that car has to be paid. Why shouldn't the same apply to the sale of a $1,500 puppy?
I've heard a local animal advocacy group may use the knowledge of the law as an impetus to track local ads for puppies and kittens and present the list to the BOE for tax collection purposes. If it succeeds in bringing more backyard breeders into the light of day, so people can see how many poorly bred, overpriced pups are changing hands in Kern County, I'm all for it.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Dog Hair May Shed Light on Cancer
Check out this story on NPR about a cancer geneticist who is studying dog hair as a means to help find answers to questions about cancer, in both dogs and humans.
SB 250 Jumps One More Hurdle
SB 250, The Pet Responsibility Act, sponsored by Dean Florez (D – Shafter) has passed the Assembly Appropriations Committee and is on its way to a full Assembly vote.
The vote is expected to take place some time before Sept. 11.
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
New contest - "There Oughta be a Law"
The Humane Society Legislative Fund has announced a new contest --- "There Oughta be a Law".The purpose of the contest is to give average people the opportunity to share their ideas for a new federal law that helps or protects animals.
The winner of the contest will be flown to Washington D.C. to meet with the HSLF and to lobby federal lawmakers on behalf of their winning idea.
Can you think of pet-related issues that are deserving of a federal law? Then enter the contest today! To enter the contest click here.
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