NY Senate Bill Will HURT Animals

An important message from Animal Advocates of Western NY,
NY State Humane Association and Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets

Don’t let the NYS Legislature ENCOURAGE
This CRUEL Convenience Surgery!

Devocalization is currently legal in New York. But a loopholed "ban," like S2965 now before the NYS Senate Agriculture Committee, could expose even MORE dogs and cats to this cruelty. Don't let that happen. Once it does, there's no turning back.

1 MINUTE, 1 CALL
(DURING BUSINESS HOURS)
TO PROTECT DOGS & CATS

Call Senate Agriculture Committee Chair Sen. Patty Ritchie, 518-455-3438. S2965 is now before her committee. POLITELY say: "S2965 will encourage MORE devocalization by making this act of cruelty an acceptable practice under the law. Please REJECT S2965."

Allowing vocal cord surgery to stifle a dog's or cat's voice as a so-called "final alternative" is UNENFORCEABLE, BASELESS and LEGITIMIZES CRUELTY. And that can only encourage more devocalization. It's easier for owners than responsible training and care, and profitable for vets. Only the animal suffers.
The ONLY ethical reason for vocal cord surgery: to treat a PHYSICAL ailment causing the animal medical harm.
Don't just leave a voicemail. Call till you can speak with someone.
Don't debate. Just say your piece.
Before you call, scroll down to learn how S2965 will HURT animals, and why A1679/S4647, also before the Ag committee, must ONLY become law as introduced.
Bottom line: S2965 should NOT pass. S4647 should NOT be amended.

HERE'S WHY THE SENATE MUST REJECT S2965...
OR MORE ANIMALS
WILL BE DEVOCALIZED THAN NOW

On March 24, the NYS Assembly passed A1679, prohibiting vocal cord surgery to alter dogs’ and cats’ voices (devocalization). Vocal cord surgery would be allowed to treat a physical ailment, the only ethical reason for it. S4647, which is identical to A1679, was introduced in the Senate. In its current form, this is good legislation. BUT…

With a history of opposing good devocalization bans, the Senate may add loopholes to turn S4647 on its head. AND...

The Senate also is considering ANOTHER devocalization bill—with a destructive loophole. S2965 lets anyone skirt the law by claiming this convenience surgery is a “final alternative to euthanasia.” Lawmakers know that can’t be enforced.

Worse, this loophole legitimizes devocalization, an act of animal cruelty, as an acceptable practice. And that can only encourage more people to subject their dogs and cats to it.

If S2965 passes with the "final alternative" allowance AND/OR other loopholes, and the Assembly accepts it, the result will be a law that exposes even MORE dogs and cats to devocalization than now.
The same is true if the Senate adds loopholes to S4647/A1679.

BEFORE YOU CALL, READ HOW SENATE BILL S2965
WILL HURT DOGS AND CATS

S2965 bill will satisfy veterinarians who devocalize--or who just don't want to be restricted from performing any procedure. How? By allowing this cruel convenience surgery as a so-called "final alternative to euthanasia."

Lawmakers and veterinary lobbyists know that could never be enforced. It's also baseless. And worse: It legitimizes this act of animal cruelty as acceptable under the law.

Vets can't know, some won't ask, if devocalization is a last resort or a first one: Clients may tell their vet they've tried everything. But they're unlikely to admit they don't give their pets the exercise, companionship and mental stimulation dogs and cats need--and will ask for if deprived. Even receipts from a trainer don’t mean the advice was followed. Having an animal’s vocal cords cut or notched is easier for lazy owners, profitable for vets. Only the animal suffers.
Responsible care and training work. Even anxiety-triggered vocalization can be managed humanely with behavior modification facilitated by medication or homeopathic remedies under the guidance of a veterinarian.
Shelters and concerned vets say rehoming is the ethical "final alternative." And responsible shelters--many are now no-kill--work with animals to resolve behavior issues. In contrast, devocalization exposes animals to lifelong misery and the risk of horrific death from choking or inhalation of food and liquids, including vomit, into the lungs. There are no benefits for animals, not even the falsely claimed "secure home."
Devocalized animals are euthanized, surrendered and abandoned despite--some because of--their surgically altered voices. Devocalization masks the symptom but doesn't relieve the underlying problem, such as boredom, loneliness or other distress. And it doesn't address the top reasons all dogs and cats are surrendered: biting, house-soiling and the owner's health or financial problems.
Some dog AND cat breeds are more talkative than others. This exemption allows their vocal cords to be cut for the benefit of selfish people who buy, adopt or breed them knowing this genetic predisposition.
This loophole encourages devocalization by making it acceptable under the law. Lifting the stigma from devocalization, an act of cruelty, can only expose even more dogs and cats to pain, suffering and risk of horrific premature death just for doing what they were born to do: talk. Would NYS allow amputation of dogs' and cats' legs for jumping on the furniture? Devocalization is just as cruel and far more lethal.
And it promotes IRRESPONSIBLE stewardship of animals. There are many effective, humane alternatives to devocalization: selection of a pet appropriate for one’s living environment; responsible care and supervision; consistent, correct training; and sometimes medication. Access to devocalization relieves owners of these commitments, giving them a quick fix that does NOT fix the underlying issue, only masks it. That can lead to more serious problems, such as biting or phouse-soiling, leading reasons healthy animals are surrendered and euthanized.

CLICK TO LEARN ABOUT OTHER LOOPHOLES THAT COULD BE ADDED TO EITHER DEVOCALIZATION BILL. This can happen any time before the bill becomes law. Don't let special interest groups that profit from devocalization and their legislative allies fool YOU.