Steele: SC bill would hurt the pets of many poor people

I am a veterinarian practicing in Mount Pleasant, and I oppose S.687, referred to as the animal welfare bill. I agree with many of my colleagues that regulation of veterinarians and animal-welfare organizations by the state Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners is necessary to ensure the proper care of all animals. No matter where they seek care, people should be confident that their pets will be cared for in a proper and humane manner, consistent with standards of veterinary medical practice.

I also agree with defining the functions of animal-welfare organizations. But this bill also restricts access to those services. It prohibits any mobile service affiliated with a non-profit organization from providing care to animals that reside within seven miles of a veterinary practice. This means these animals will be prohibited from getting needed care from organizations that are willing and able to provide it. Due to the owners’ limitations (financial, physical, transportation, etc.), these animals are not receiving proper care from their local veterinarian and will, under this bill, be prohibited from receiving care from organizations that exist solely to help them. These poor animals, through no fault of their own, will become untouchable.

I also disagree with limiting the access of discounted or free care other than such basics as spay/neuter and vaccinations based solely on income. The bill restricts access by requiring demonstration of low-income status, defined as $11,770 for a single household. This means to be eligible for assistance, a person must earn less than $5.67 per hour. A pet that, by no fault of its own, is cared for by a person who makes just $12,000 per year will be denied assistance for needed care.

Despite the title of the bill, I fear that these restrictions have very little to do with the welfare of animals and everything to do with protecting veterinarian income. Rather than focusing on money and creating barriers, we should focus on the real issue that both veterinarians and animal-welfare organizations can support together: the betterment of all animals and the end of abuse, neglect and unwanted animals.

This story was originally published July 27, 2015 at 7:27 PM.