Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets has led the movement to
end devocalization through education and legislation
since taking this cruel convenience surgery out of the shadows in 2008.
end devocalization through education and legislation
since taking this cruel convenience surgery out of the shadows in 2008.
Devocalization is an elective surgery in which vocal cord tissue is cut to stifle a dog's OR cat's voice. It's always dangerous. Always inhumane.
And often kept under the radar.
Those who have it done to animals and the vets who perform it for them may not disclose it. They know it's widely considered an act of cruelty--and it's easy to conceal.
Unlike cropped ears, docked tails or declawed paws, cut vocal cords are hidden from view. And when instruments are inserted through the open mouth, sometimes spun as "bark softening," all scars are internal--where they're most deadly.
Most people think the animal they hear rasping and wheezing, coughing and gagging has kennel cough or another ailment. Who'd imagine their vocal cords were cut, brutal punishment for the "crime" of communicating.
THE TRUTH HURTS!
Powerful lobbies with a financial interest in devocalization of dogs AND cats--including breeders--trivialize devocalization to keep it legal. They call it "bark (or voice) softening" or "bark (or voice) reduction," claiming it's a benign surgery that is necessary to keep animals out of shelters. Both claims are untrue.
HERE'S THE TRUTH:
Vocal cord tissue must be cut to alter an animal's voice, and there's no benign way to do it.
HERE'S THE TRUTH:
Vocal cord tissue must be cut to alter an animal's voice, and there's no benign way to do it.
- Cutting even a little tissue causes scars regardless of the vet's skill...the surgical route (through the animal's open mouth or an incision in the neck)...or the instrument used, including laser.
- When scarring develops in the throat, the animal may choke to death...suffer heatstroke even when it's not hot...or inhale substances into their lungs a result of this unnecessary surgery. The more fortunate victims "only" struggle to breathe, and cough and gag persistently the rest of their lives.
Please click on this button to visit our companion website, United Against Devocalization, for:
- Information about devocalization, how it's performed and the risks.
- State devocalization bans--two good laws, five bad.
- Loopholes that kill devocalization bans and worse, legitimize this cruelty.
- Tips for humanely managing barking and meowing.
- Short (non-graphic) videos of devocalized animals and their adopters.
- Statements from animal shelters, rescue groups and concerned veterinarians.
- And a quick, easy way for you to have your vet take this humane stand too!
HEARING IS BELIEVING!
What do devocalized animals really sound like? Watch the videos below--they're short and not graphic. Click HERE for more.
TO SHARE: just click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of each video screen. After you've watched the video, click on the Share icon (sideways V). You'll see options for posting on social media and emailing.
Attribution to Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets is required. Videos must be posted in their entirety; any alteration violates copyright law.
TO SHARE: just click on the YouTube icon at the bottom of each video screen. After you've watched the video, click on the Share icon (sideways V). You'll see options for posting on social media and emailing.
Attribution to Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets is required. Videos must be posted in their entirety; any alteration violates copyright law.
Copyright © 2014 Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets. All Rights Reserved.
