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The Animal Welfare Cause
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Loading...Banfield Bans Unnecessary Cosmetic Surgeries on Dogs!
Great news for dogs: Banfield, the nation’s largest network of animal hospitals, with more than 730 hospitals and 2,000 veterinarians nationwide, has just announced that it will no longer dock dogs’ tails, crop their ears, or remove their vocal cords–a cruel procedure known as devocalization, or de-barking!
As mentioned in the USA Today article, the American Kennel Club (AKC) has fought laws seeking to ban tail docking and ear cropping because it feels that purebred dogs should conform to certain breed standards. But performing medically unnecessary procedures on dogs only perpetuates the notion that they are fashion accessories. Unfortunaely, many breeders insist that “their” breed will be “ruined” if it does not maintain the image handed down by breed clubs decades ago. AKC doggie beauty pageants are filled with dogs who have been mutilated for no good reason.
Dogs usually have their ears cropped when they are just eight to 12-weeks old. At this stage in their development, the trauma of the procedure can have a strong psychological impact on the maturing pup. The process of taping and re-taping a pup’s ears to force them to stand erect after they have been cropped can be agonizing for the dog.
The American Veterinary Medical Association has pointed out that, “ear cropping and tail docking are not medically indicated nor of benefit to the patient. These procedures cause pain and distress, and, as with all surgical procedures, are accompanied by inherent risks of anesthesia, blood loss, and infection.” Because the procedures are so cruel and dangerous, they have been banned in many European countries.
Many veterinarians also condemn de-barking because it is superfluous, causes dogs a great deal of post-operative pain, and strips them of their natural means to communicate. Yet some people resort to this cruel, invasive procedure as a “solution” to problem barking—even though there are humane and effective alternatives, including simple positive training methods. (Of course, some experimenters also de-bark dogs used in laboratory tests, so that they won’t be “disturbed” by the dogs’ desperate cries for help and attention.)
Thankfully, some people who were thinking about subjecting their animals to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures will likely think twice now that Banfield has come out against them—setting an example for other animal hospitals to follow. As Dr. Karen Faunt, Banfield’s vice president for medical quality advancement, says, “It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether.”
With any luck, declawing will be the next cruel and unnecessary procedure to be banned. To learn more about cosmetic surgeries on dogs and cats—and find out what you can do to help lessen animal suffering—see www.HelpingAnimals.com.
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Beyond happy to hear this but quite disgusted to find out that there are so few cities in BC which are…
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+ add your owni have worked in an animal hospital for 25 years and yes these procedures are useless,painful,traumatic & the dogs lose a lot of blood.We have never debarked dogs but we have had patients who had it done elsewhere & it is very sad when you hear them trying to bark & a strange low noise comes out.We are animals guardians & parents - we are not supposed to be thiei abusers,neglecters,abandoners or killers.Declawing is another horror.There are alternatives and if not then a cat may not be the pet for that particular person.
Yo quiero a mi perro por lo que es, es mi amigo y mi compañero. Y asi como el me acepta como soy, yo lo acepto a el. No estoy de acuerdo con la gente que solo se fija en la estetica de los perros, no los entiendo.
If they are born with long tails & floppy ears then that is because that is the way they were meant to be ! I blame this on these stupid pedigree dog shows eg. Crufts.
To mutilate a dog so that it conforms to human standards is the very height of cruelty. Either you love the dog the way he is or don't get the dog. Ear cropping, tail docking and de-barking are cruel and unusual treatment and should never be done since the animal cannot give informed consent for them. When dogs can talk and say yes without undue influence, these procedures should be banned.
I use to be so stupid about these kinds of things. Ten years ago I took both of my 6 month old kittens to be declawed because I didn't want my furniture ruined. I had no idea what this entailed and didn't find out till years later. I still have my cats and they're wonderful, beautiful fuzz balls. I attempt daily to make up to them what I put them through. Imagine having your fingernails pulled/cut out one at a time. Thankfully my girls recovered fine but this is a painful, debilitating surgery that leaves the cat immobilized since they can't hardly walk while they're healing. They can no longer defend themselves, climb to prevent falls, scratch themselves (we all need that once in a while). Please educate yourself before doing something so inhumane. This is for nothing more than cosmetics.
Hallelujiah!
Those of us who have cats have to live with scratched up furniture--so what? The love and friendship of a cat is well worth it--if not then don't get a cat! Declawing is horrible--the equivalent of having all your fingers amputated at the first knuckle! I can't even imagine how painful that must be. And it takes away the cat's natural defenses! Hope they ban this surgery next.
Just enjoy your pet. They are beautifull as God made them. Stop causing pain because of a stupid trend! If you want to look good go to the gym or go on a diet, & leave your poor pet alone!
This is a horibule torture for dogs they don't need to have their tales docked it is hardly a good cause and I think it should be stoped globaly!
What gives humans the right to inflict pain and suffering on innocent trusting animals?? They should remain the way nature has made them. It is interference by disgusting humans that has changed the look of many breeds ~ including daschounds and pugs. This has caused untold damage to the breeds! The long backs has caused signifant spinal problems in the daschounds! The pugs have breathing problems due to their short snouts. All this suffering experience by the poor doggies is for the benefit of the humans! WHY OH WHY can we not just love the animals for themselves! Why is there always an agenda ~ usually involving huge amounts of money?
The perpetrators should be exterminated!! They will not be missed!!
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