Muting animals

07-28-2006, 12:23 PM

For the past week I've been kitten-sitting for a colleague who's having her apartment renovated. Skipper never spoke. He'd keep opening his mouth but say nothing so I was really worried that he was absolutely terrified and was therefore unable to speak. But on the other hand he seemed very happy running around and exploring and playing with everyone and everything.

I finally asked my colleague and she said that she had, had Skipper muted and it was something she did to all her pets, whether canine or feline. She said that while she liked having pets she did not like to hear them and prefered that they remain silent.

It took quite a while for the whole 'muted' idea to register and honestly I didn't even know that such a thing could be done, let alone that it seems to be regularly done. It's really been upsetting me this idea that we can and apparently do things like this. I can't understand why you'd choose to have a pet and then take her voice away. Imagine if this were done to children because parents didn't like the noise or people otherwise unable to stand up for themselves.

I guess I just wanted to know how everyone else feels about this and whether its a widespread practise.

Princess Ivy · 07-28-2006, 12:35 PM

omg how horrible! like docking, that is a pathetic thing to do. i know that for a while it was considered an answer to barking neighbourhood dogs, disturbing peace etc,... however i think it was made illegal, due to being overly cruel (although i do stand to be corrected on this point) in this country and europe.

07-28-2006, 12:44 PM

I thought it was terribly cruel as well and I don't know about it being illegal because my colleague is American and all her pets are muted, even the ones she had in the States that are now living with a relative.

Princess Ivy · 07-28-2006, 12:47 PM

i'm in England, so i can't speak for the american legality, also what is legal in some states is not in others over there. but i honestly can't imagine if my cats couldn't talk to me. they are all vocal and its great company when the kids are in school.

07-28-2006, 12:51 PM

Can't imagine it either and this is the first time I've ever heard of such a thing even. I looked it up on the internet and it seems they do it if the animal has cancer of the throat. I could accept that. But not this shutting it up idea.

I really cannot imagine my felines not talking. Even the stray ones that have almighty rows most every night. I'd swear six ways to Sunday that they understand all the languages we speak at homes and sometimes even sound like they can speak them.

I feel really, really, bad when Skipper opens his mouth and there's no sound because he's obviously wanting to say something.

Princess Ivy · 07-28-2006, 02:04 PM

i can't imagine what that would be like. shudder. and yes, mine are also very understanding and communicative, even if most of the time they seem to be saying 'you want me to do what? forget it...'

Alexa · 07-28-2006, 08:11 PM

Quote:

I finally asked my colleague and she said that she had, had Skipper muted and it was something she did to all her pets, whether canine or feline. She said that while she liked having pets she did not like to hear them and prefered that they remain silent.

This is horrible. She shoudn't have pets at all.

I usually talk to my cats. I know they don't understand the words, but they surely understand the tone. At the beginning they didn't meow a lot. I presently understand a bit from their language. I know when they want to come in my bed or want to play or are hungry or they don,t like something. More "we talk", more they learn new sounds. And I believe this is wonderful.

steve12553 · 07-29-2006, 03:23 AM

I only have 4 dog who (as everyone knows) are much quieter the cats. But your right, I still couldn't imagine muted dogs either.

Phyllis Sidheuaine · 07-29-2006, 08:14 PM

*the :kitty: delegation stalk Skipper's staff, then...*

ROWR!

Don't look at them.

The laws concerning animal rights and the like vary from state to state and district to district, but I personally wouldn't deliberately mute any furred purrson I resided with.

If Skipper's staff wanted a quiet pet, she should've gotten snakes or lizards (or, better yet, pet rocks.) I know, they're not as cute and cuddly as furred companions but beggars can't be choosers. Hell, there are collars that (I think) can be used to train a furry companion to be quiet (but that takes effort, I guess.)

I'm just...

Phyllis Sidheuaine

Princess Ivy · 07-29-2006, 08:33 PM

not only collars, but entire websites devoted to how you can train dogs not to anoy your neighbours and only bark in emergancies.
BTW: my kids and i often play stone tortises. they are great pets for kids cause they can't be bothered by small hands