Massachusetts Residents Only: Breeders & MVMA Want To Kill Bill That Bans Devocalization

3/29/10 – FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE ALERT
Massachusetts Residents Only: Breeders & MVMA Want To Kill Bill That Bans Devocalization

ALERT WRITER: Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, CPRPets@aol.com

BACKGROUND: House Bill 344 prohibits the cruel practice of devocalization, cutting vocal cords to stifle or remove an animal’s voice. It allows vocal cord surgery on dogs and cats only to treat disease, injury or birth defect.

Dog breeders and Mass. Veterinary Medical Assn. (MVMA) have stepped up efforts to kill House Bill 344 — or amend it, so it is unenforceable. Both groups have a financial interest in devocalization. Breeders silence many dogs to keep them without complaints from authorities, or just to reap profits but not hear their animals. Vets perform it.

*   After approval by the MA House of Representatives in March — thanks to calls from animal advocates — House Bill 344 is now stalled in the Senate.

*   Unless the Senate approves it quickly, it won’t pass by July 31, 2010 and will effectively be dead.

*   If the Senate caves in to opposition, the law will allow and legitimize an act of cruelty. Innocent dogs and cats will continue to have their vocal cords cut for convenience and greed.

The 200 MA vets who endorse House Bill 344 testify that devocalization poses grave risks, whether vocal cords are cut through the oral cavity or a neck incision. Some animals die horribly — like the little Pom who choked to death after devocalization by a licensed vet, who incredibly helped craft MVMA’s opposition to the bill! Others struggle to breathe, cough and gag uncontrollably, or choke on food and water the rest of their lives.

Shelter executives testify: Devocalized animals are given up like any other, and barking does not force euthanasia. Instead of needless surgery, it is far more humane to rehome animals with guardians who provide the right environment, care, training, and acceptance of an animal’s natural behavior.

Stella’s scars show the truth about devocalization surgery on dogs and cats.

TAKE ACTION NOW TO SAVE THIS BILL!
STEP 1: ALL MA RESIDENTS – CALL YOUR STATE SENATOR
FIND YOUR STATE (Beacon Hill) SENATOR:
http://www.wheredoivotema.com
Enter your address and look for “Senate in General Court.”
Or call 1-800-462-8683.

– Call the office of your State Senator; emails are usually disregarded.
– Tell an aide you’re a constituent who wants House Bill 344 to pass by July as written.
– Always say “as written,” to assure the language isn’t modified to put animals at risk.
– State why the bill matters to you and that you’ll follow it closely.

STEP 2: ALL MA RESIDENTS – CALL BACK PERIODICALLY
Each time, urge that House Bill 344 become law this session — as written.

STEP 3: ALL MA RESIDENTS – LEAVE A STRONG VOICEMAIL
If you get voicemail, leave your name, address and short message of support for House Bill 344 as written. Then call again to speak with a person.

STEP 4: MA CONSTITUENTS OF SEN. THERESE MURRAY – CALL HER
Constituents of Senate President Therese Murray, call: 617-722-1500 Sen. Murray’s district: Barnstable, Bourne, Falmouth, Kingston, Pembroke, Plymouth, Plympton, Sandwich.

STEP 5: ALL MA RESIDENTS – MAIL, FAX, EMAIL SENATOR MURRAY
Fax: 617-248-3840
Address: State House, Room 330 / Boston, MA 02133
Email: Therese.Murray@state.ma.us

Contact Senate President Murray. Ask her to move House Bill 344 to the floor quickly and ensure that the Senate approves it as written. Say why a strong, meaningful law banning devocalization is important to you.

Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, is an unfunded, all-volunteer network in Massachusetts, CPRPets@aol.com

3/29/10 – KINSHIP CIRCLE ANIMAL DISASTER AID
Kinship Circle’s team is en route to Chile.  Why Chile? The answer lies in their eyes…

WHY CHILE?

Animals have no borders, so when Chileans asked Kinship Circle to send teams to help displaced animals, we got to work. We are now in Chile for rescue, first aid and the eventual construction of a temp tent clinic/shelter to house homeless animals, treat injuries, vaccinate, and spay/neuter.

WHY CHILE?
A stretch of coastal towns, about 500-600 miles from Santiago, Chile are ruined from an 8.8 earthquake, aftershocks, and two tsunamis. Still, cries of animals are heard from the rubble. Many are sick from drinking saltwater… It will take 4 to 5 days for a SACH/Kinship Circle convoy to log animal numbers, leave food/water and treat any injured or sick animals.

I wonder how we will find the money to finance all that needs to be done for thousands… Will people care enough about animals in Chile to contribute?

WHY CHILE?
Anyone who looks into their eyes would see the same sadness and confusion that I see. That look, a mix of hunger and hopelessness, was Katrina’s hallmark. For some rescuers, it is a look that can never be erased.

How do you turn away from a plea for help? From tears…and stories of animals left behind? YOU DON’T. Brenda Shoss, president, Kinship Circle

*  DONATE TO CHILE RELIEF FUND NOW:
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

*   DONATE BY CHECK OR MONEY ORDER:
Kinship Circle / 7380 Kingsbury Blvd. / St. Louis, MO 63130

WE NEED TO RAISE AT LEAST $500,000 TO…
Fund Kinship Circle teams for 3 to 6 months — including veterinarians, first responders, and a Chile project manager — to purchase and oversee:
*   Search and Rescue / Trapping
*   In-Field First Aid / Wound Transport / Food-Water Program
*   Assessment and Tracking of Animal Populations
*   1-Year Clinic/Shelter (for homeless and temporarily surrendered animals)
*   Extended Care (vaccines, spay/neuter, and adoption programs)
*   Veterinary surgical/diagnostic equipment
*   Veterinary medicines, vaccines, tools
*   Containment & care: kennels, cages, food, hygiene, bowls, leashes, collars, litter…
*   Temp clinic/shelter: military tents, fencing, electrical lighting, air/heat…
*   Field work: stretchers, carriers, gas, first aid, catch poles, trap cages…

http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation

ACTION CAMPAIGNS * EDUCATION * ANIMAL DISASTER AID NETWORK
http://www.KinshipCircle.org * http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

Kinship Circle Animal Disaster Aid is a nonprofit that mobilizes volunteers and resources for animal victims through its network of trained responders in the U.S. and Canada. http://www.kinshipcircle.org/disasters

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