08/28/2025
Tariff Tsunami: How D.C.’s Trade Policy Is Literally Freezing Our Rescue - all my sharers out there, please share
If this post offends you, please try to read to the bottom.
Cats Pawjamas is hitting the pause button on accepting new intakes because the current administration’s removal of the $800 de minimis tariff exemption is ravaging our supply chain.
**What just happened?**
As of August 29, 2025, the U.S. ended the longstanding “de minimis” rule—which let imports under $800 slip in duty‑free. Now, any package from overseas could face tariffs ranging from 10% to 50%, or even a flat fee of $80–$200 per parcel .
**Ripples across the globe.**
Over a dozen countries—Australia, India, EU nations, Mexico, Japan, the U.K., and more—have already paused postal shipments to the U.S., unsure how to process the mess .
What that means for us:
Our cheap-as-dirt flea and tick meds from Australia are now a logistical and financial minefield.
We shelled out more for Revolution (Selamectin) through a middleman—because it is closest in price and still available.
Just placed a $400 pharma order—but this will get worse quickly because tariffs on Indian-made meds just doubled (or worse). Thanks, policy.
Key supplies like Azithromycin, syringes, and needles? Backordered with no ETA.
And let’s not even start on food and litter—I have no clue where the ingredients originate, so I can’t even forecast the cost damage.
This isn’t hyperbole: these changes are the single greatest threat to the viability of Cats Pawjamas we’ve ever faced. Add to it a 20% drop in adoptions versus 2024, and we are teetering.
Here’s how you can help (without significantly damaging your credit score):
1. Donate:
— Venmo: -Pawjamas
— PayPal:
— CashApp: $CatsPawjamas
— Credit/Debit: via our website www.catspawjamas.org
— Plus, of course, hit that Facebook donate button.
2. Raise hell with D.C.
Contact your reps. Doesn’t matter which party—they’re all responsible. Let them know how these tariffs are gutting the charities you care about.
3. Adopt—or support one of your local rescues.
We’d love to see you, but stressing any of us is, well… pointless. This crisis hits all of our shelters.
Why we’re serious (not political):
This isn’t a partisan attack—it’s just the blunt, performative reality of how cranky, poorly thought-out trade policy is endangering nonprofits and the animals we save. If you’re offended, I’m sorry—but ignorance won’t help a single cat stuck in limbo.
Thank you for your time and attention.
