pbYour Voice is Needed to Protect Dogs Cats from Vocal Cord Mutilation/b/p
pFriends of Animals strongly supports the pending New York State legislation that would ban the vocal cord mutilation of dogs and cats called “devocalization” surgery. Cutting the vocal cords of dogs or cats to silence or stifle their voices is an act of cruelty, and no veterinarian should be allowed to perform it. Dogs and cats whose vocal cords are cut often suffer debilitating or fatal consequences-choking to death, struggling to breathe, coughing and gagging relentlessly, all so selfish or irresponsible pet owners can take away their ability to communicate vocally./p
pWe need your phone calls to the NY State Senate to help pass this crucial legislation to protect the lives of dogs and cats throughout New York. /p
pOn March 4th, Assembly Bill A1204, sponsored by Assemblymember Ken Zebrowski, banning devocalization of dogs and cats passed resoundingly in the New York State Assembly, by a vote of 121-5. /p
pWhile this is very good news, the devocalization ban bill in the Senate-Senate Bill S2271, sponsored by Senator Mark Grisanti, must now pass through two Senate Committees and stand for a vote on the floor. We must pass this bill in the Senate in order for it to become law-and we need your help to make this happen, and we need to assure no further amendments are put forth to weaken the bill./p
pLobbies that profit from devocalization cruelty have mobilized to try to kill this bill or weaken it through amendments. To counter their misguided efforts, we must communicate to our Senate representatives that the bill not be amended, but passed as it is written in order to put an enforceable devocalization ban on the books in New York State.br /
Phone calls are best, as they can’t be easily ignored or deleted like emails can. Please call the following three offices: /p
blockquotep1) Tell the office of your NYS Senator in Albany: “I’m a constituent, and I’d like the Senator to ensure S 2271 becomes law this session without further amendments. Please pass this humane bill now”¦as written. It’s a top priority for me, and I’ll be following it.” If you don’t know who your NY State Senator is, you can a href=”//www.nysenate.gov/”find out online/a or call the main Senate switchboard at 518-455-2800. /p/blockquote
blockquotep2) Tell the office of Senate Republican Conference Leader, Senator Dean G. Skelos at 518-455-3171, “I’d like the Senator to ensure S 2271 becomes law this session, as written, without further amendments. This is important humane legislation. Many people are counting on his help.”/p/blockquote
blockquotep3) Tell the office of Senate Independent Democrat Conference Leader, Senator Jeffrey A. Klein at 581-455-3959, I’d like the Senator to ensure S 2271 becomes law this session, as written, without further amendments. This is important humane legislation. Many people are counting on his help.”/p/blockquote