Animal advocate applauds PC’s promise to implement tax credit for adopted dogs

Tracy Jessiman says the tax credit is a thoughtful initiative, adding it’s not meant to pit people who’ve bought dogs from breeders against people with rescue dogs

HALIFAXtoday \  Chris Halef

A local animal rights advocate is applauding the Tories’ promise to implement a tax credit for people who adopt dogs.

Nova Scotia’s PC Leader Tim Houston recently announced his party would implement a $500 tax credit for people who adopt a dog from a recognized shelter if the party is elected to govern on Aug. 17.

The promise is being praised by Tracy Jessiman, a local animal advocate, who told NEWS 95.7 fill-in host Todd Veinotte this can help residents in a number of ways.

“Really, it’s around mental health and it’s about how all dogs really enrich a family’s life,” she said. “They keep us healthy, they keep us active and they keep us social.”

Jessiman says this is a tax credit for people who adopt dogs, adding it’s not meant to pit people who’ve bought dogs from breeders against people with rescue dogs.

“It’s a thoughtful initiative and I’ve been getting a lot of positive feedback,” she said. “I’ve had a handful of messages from people who don’t support rescue and I understand that but I support rescue and I support this initiative.”

In his announcement, Houston said the tax credit is a small but important piece of his health-focused platform, which pledges more doctors, more timely mental health supports and a commitment to long-term care.