Monday letters: Veterinarians putting money ahead of pets

In “S.C. bill would cage animal health care, shelters say” (Dec. 1), a representative of the S.C. Association of Veterinarians characterized S.687 as an effort to “legislate manners.” This statement shows how out of touch that organization is with the needs of South Carolina’s pet owners and the devastating effect the bill could have on the pets they love.

Census data show that 18 percent of South Carolinians live below the poverty line, while tens of thousands more struggle to make ends meet. The veterinarians want to protect their pocketbook by restricting the services that shelters, spay/neuter clinics and others can provide to those who can’t afford a full-service veterinarian.

S.687 would put basic veterinary care out of reach for hundreds of thousands of South Carolinians and their pets, putting their health and welfare at risk. It was disheartening to see it pass out of committee this month despite protests of the animal-welfare organizations providing such care, municipalities forced to bear the burden of animals surrendered because their owners can’t afford care and even advocates who recognize this is a clear violation of free-trade principles. However, there’s still hope that South Carolinians will not allow the self-interests of veterinarians to derail the lifesaving work being provided for animals across the state when S.687 comes before the full Senate next month. This bill is not about “manners.” It is about whether every pet in South Carolina deserves access to veterinary care.