Watch: Non-Profits Show Opposition to Vet Bill
Columbia , S.C. (WOLO) — On Tuesday, several non-profit organizations gathered at the state house to express their opposition to legislation restricting the services they are able to provide.
“She’s helped me and my family tremendously,” said dog owner Steve Hall.
Marine Corp veteran Steve Hall suffers from PTSD after serving several tours overseas, but thanks to 2 service dogs provided by Charleston Animal Society, he says his life is forever changed.
“After losing Scout, I wasn’t gonna get another service dog but I kept getting worse and worse and worse but every day it gets better,” explained Hall.
Hall joined several non-profit pet organizations at the state house expressing to lawmakers their opposition to legislation that limits the services non-profits are able to provide and who they can serve.
“Let’s say your dog suffers from seizures you won’t be able to come to us if you are not considered low income, you’ve got to come in and swear you’re a low income individual,” said Pawmetto Lifeline CEO Denise Wilkinson.
In addition to establishing income requirements, legislation would also restrict where mobile vaccination clinics can operate. Wilkinson says pet owners should be able to choose where they take their pets for medical care or more animals will end up in danger because their owners can’t afford to take care of them.
“If this bill passes, I can promise you more animals are going to die,” said Wilkinson. “More animals are going to be homeless.”
Supporters of the bill argue shelters need to be held to a more regulated standard of care to ensure the health and well-being of all animals in the Palmetto State.
