United Against Devocalization is an alliance of individuals and organizations who believe cutting vocal cords to alter a dog's or cat's voice is cruel. And cruelty should never be an option.
We're pet guardians and animal shelters, animal control officers and ethical veterinarians, advocacy and rescue groups...and others who care about humane treatment of animals.
We know that devocalization is always dangerous, sometimes fatal.
And we know, many from personal experience, that it offers animals no benefit: Devocalized dogs and cats are surrendered and convenience-euthanized like any other. They just suffer more.
Together, we're committed to protecting animals from this act of cruelty.
All animals deserve the voices they were born with.
And humane voters deserve to have theirs heard.
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets is the founding organization of United Against Devocalization and since 2008, the national leader of the movement to end this cruelty.
An unfunded, all-volunteer organization, Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets has led the campaign to end devocalization of dogs and cats since 2008.
Among its initiatives, the Coalition sponsored Logan's Law, prohibiting devocalization of dogs and cats in Massachusetts; it passed the Senate unanimously, the House of Representatives, 155-1, and was signed into law on July 21, 2010.
The Coalition also led the campaign that resulted in Maryland's 2014 devocalization ban. It and Massachusetts are currently the only two states that protect all their dogs and cats from being subjected to elective voice-altering surgery.
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets continues to lead this effort through public awareness campaigns as well as consultation with advocacy organizations and lawmakers who wish to prohibit devocalization in their states.
In addition, the Coalition develops educational materials that promote humane treatment of all animals, and facilitates the placement of "unadoptable" pets in loving homes through grassroots outreach.
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets does NOT accept financial donations. We encourage you to support the underfunded, volunteer-fueled shelters and rescue groups in your community.
Co-Sponsors, Campaign to End Devocalization in New York State
Animal Advocates of Western New York (AAWNY) is a nonprofit, all-volunteer organization dedicated to the elimination of
animal exploitation and abuse. Founded in 1985, it is a regional leader in this social justice movement and works collaboratively with local, regional and national groups.
AAWNY has assisted towns and villages with humane control of wildlife; worked with the Buffalo Urban League to educate teens about humane treatment of animals; and runs a telephone helpline to advise callers on lost pets and other animal-related issues.
Although not a rescue group, AAWNY is a member of the Animal Alliance, a consortium of animal shelters and rescue groups, and has helped finance the efforts of Feral Cat Focus to spay and neuter feral cats in NYS. AAWNY also sponsors programs that educate the public about humane treatment of animals.
The New York State Humane Association (NYSHA) was organized in 1900 and incorporated in 1925. It is a 501(c)(3) organization whose guiding philosophy is to reduce animal suffering and encourage compassion to all creatures.
NYSHA's activities and programs include assisting law enforcement and investigators in fighting animal cruelty; responding to phone inquiries about animal concerns from individuals and shelters; conducting seminars and workshops on topics of interest to shelters, animal control officers and the humane community.
NYSHA also has served as the coordinating agency, overseeing the disposition of large numbers of animals rescued from unacceptable living conditions, usually brought about by "hoarders.”