Fwd from CPRPets:
“Because You Care, Other Dogs and Cats
Won’t Suffer the Way I Did.”
Logan’s breeder had him devocalized and then abandoned him. He gagged and coughed, rasped and wheezed as a result of this cruel convenience surgery… until the day he died.
Commemorating the 1-Year Anniversary of Logan’s Law
On July 21, 2010, Logan’s Law took effect in Massachusetts, prohibiting devocalization of dogs and cats–an inhumane convenience surgery in which vocal cords are cut solely to stifle or remove the voice. Animals face serious risks, some life-threatening, without benefit: Devocalized dogs and cats are given up just like any other, such as when they’re not useful for breeding or exhibition.
This landmark humane law has inspired similar legislation, including a pending federal bill that would award cruelty prevention grants to states banning devocalization.
You Made It Happen Without Donating
or Asking Others for a Dime.
It’s nothing short of amazing: You and other caring people passed a significant humane law without money, lobbyists or even a formal organization. Under the auspices of Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, the unfunded grassroots network that sponsored Logan’s Law, you achieved this victory simply by using your voice to protect those of innocent animals.
You called and visited lawmakers, printed and handed out flyers, posted and forwarded our eAlerts, created and appeared in videos and on TV.
The result? Beacon Hill heard you above the din of lobbyists for the powerful dog breeding and state veterinary associations, which worked feverishly against this humane legislation. Breeders devocalize when they or neighbors don’t want to hear their many animals. Vets perform it, sometimes devocalizing entire litters.
You proved it doesn’t take money to pass laws. It takes activism. Not online petitions, not canned emails prepared by organizations asking for your money–just old-fashioned advocacy.
We hope you’ll continue to join with Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets to speak out for those who can’t…and that when you do make a charitable donation for animals, you’ll give it to the volunteer-fueled shelter or rescue group in your city or town.
How Can You Help Ensure Logan’s Law is Enforced?
By reading and circulating the attached fact sheet, which summarizes the law’s key provisions–and how to act on them–you can give dogs and cats an added layer of protection from surgical stifling they don’t need and are helpless to refuse.
Why Are Devocalization Bans Important? Count the Ways!
1. These laws protect dogs and cats from a risky, painful procedure performed solely for human benefit. (Yes, it’s documented: Cats are devocalized too.)
2. Devocalization bans also send a strong message that animals are sentient beings, not toys or trophies we may cut to meet our expectations.
3. Devocalization bans help put the brakes on backyard breeding; surgically stifling animals enables breeders to skirt municipal nuisance ordinances so they can run their operations in residential neighborhoods. Some breeders devocalize because they or family members don’t want to hear the animals they breed and sell. How selfish is that?
Watch and Learn
FOR INFORMATION
CPRPets@aol.com
Logan’s Law was sponsored by
Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, an unfunded, all-volunteer network of people who care about animals.
It was endorsed by
Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association
New England Federation of Humane Societies
More than 200 veterinarians statewide
and
the following humane organizations:
Animal Umbrella, Revere
Baypath Humane Society, Hopkinton
Berkshire Humane Society, Pittsfield
Billerica Cat Care Coalition, Billerica
Boston Dog Rescue, Boston
Buddy Dog Humane Society, Sudbury
Dakin Pioneer Valley Humane Society, Springfield
Dog Orphans, Douglas
Forever Paws Animal Shelter, Fall River
Friends of the Plymouth Pound, Plymouth
Ipswich Humane Group, Ipswich
Kitty Connection, Medford
Marblehead Animal Shelter, Marblehead
MassPAWS, Winthrop
Melrose Humane Society, Melrose
MetroWest Humane Society, Ashland
MSPCA, Boston
New England Animal Rescue, Middleboro
New England Society for Abandoned Animals, Osterville
Norfolk County Humane Society, Canton
Northeast Animal Shelter, Salem
Poodle Rescue of New England, Somerville
Save A Dog, Sudbury
South Shore Humane Society, Braintree
Standish Humane Society, Duxbury
Sterling Animal Shelter, Sterling
Tiny Tigers Feline Rescue, Groton
Underdog ResQ, Boston
Worcester Animal Rescue League, Worcester
Consulting Experts
Dr. Joel M. Woolfson, DVM, DACVS, Veterinary Surgeon
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, DVA, DACVB, Director, Animal Behavior Clinic,
Tufts-Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine
Dr. Barbara Hodges, DVM, MBA, Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn.
