Every year on tax day, I do two things:

1. Drag out the process of filling in my 1040 by surfing the Internet looking for tax day deals.
2. End up fuming because the only things anyone ever offers are cheap burgers and free tacos, and my 1040 still sits on my desk waiting to be filled out.

This year, instead of searching for (non-existent) free or cheap vegan grub, I'm procrastinating by contacting my Congressional representatives and asking them to tax meat (instead of me). There's already an excise tax on things like gas, tobacco, and alcohol, so why not meat?

As the number one cause of climate change and a contributing factor to the high rates of obesity in America, animal products that hurt our health and our environment (not to mention animals) should be outlawed. That probably won't happen, but a tax on meat would at least help cover the health and environmental costs that result from raising and killing animals for food—and (hopefully) it would encourage companies to give away 35-cent veggie burgers and free vegan tacos next year on April 15.

Now, what to do about filling out that 1040 sooner?

Written by Shawna Flavell

popsci / CC

It seems that people are getting wise to how the horse-racing industry causes horses to suffer and die, and they're staying away from the tracks in droves. The most recent casualty is Baltimore's Pimlico Race Course. Pimlico's owners have gone bankrupt, and it now appears that the state may take possession of the track.

With the death of the racing industry looming, we're asking Maryland Governor Martin O'Malley for his help in turning Pimlico into a horse empathy park. Pimlico should serve as a memorial for the thousands of horses who have died in pursuit of "the roses" (such as Barbaro, who died following his excruciating injury during the Preakness, held at—guess where?—Pimlico). The notorious racetrack can become a center where people can experience what it's like to be a "champion."

If Governor O'Malley comes through, visitors could tour educational displays about horses, see exhibits of painful bits and spurs, and even experience blinkers, whipping, and the "fun" of racing around a track with a heavy weight on their back. If it helps shut down more racetracks, I can't think of a better way to spend a vacation!

Written by Jeff Mackey

static.guim / CC

We're disappointed to report that, although the Obamas had publicly expressed their intention to adopt a dog from an animal shelter or rescue group, they have instead accepted a Portuguese water dog as a gift from Sen. Ted Kennedy.

Let us be clear: The new first dog, Bo, is not a rescue. While he was returned to the breeder by his first owners, that subtle point is missing from or buried in most news reports and is no doubt lost on the masses of people who will be lining up at pet shops and demanding "Obama puppies." These puppies will eventually lose their appeal, once people get tired of taking care of them, but because most pet shops and many breeders don't take "returns," guess where those unwanted "Obama puppies" are going to end up? At extremely crowded, overworked shelters like D.C.'s Washington Humane Society (WHS).

Speaking of which, the Obamas have promised to make a donation to WHS, which is great, but, as we told the President in a letter we sent today, WHS doesn't need his money as much as it needs his business (i.e., going in and adopting a shelter animal)—and the business of all the people who do what Obama did just because he did it.

The Obamas can't undo their missed opportunity to set a great example for Americans by adopting a shelter dog, but they can still set another important example: They can arrange for the first dog to become the last dog in his lineage by having him neutered. We've offered up our mobile clinic's services for the first "snip" and will let you know if the President takes us up on our offer.

Written by Alisa Mullins

Update: We are glad to report that Bo has been fixed, and we hope that the Obamas will publicly stress the importance of spaying and neutering. We also hope that they will encourage people to adopt mutts—lots of mutts are "hypo-allergenic," and, best of all, saving their lives is also good for your heart.