Devocalization

Devocalization, also called ventriculocordectomy or vocal cordectomy, is a surgical procedure that removes tissue from an animal vocal cords, most often performed on dogs, where it is commonly called debarking, and occasionally on cats, where it is called demeowing. Owners request the surgery to reduce excessive barking or meowing, to respond to complaints from neighbors, or as an alternative to euthanasia ordered by a court because of noise complaints. The procedure does not stop an animal from vocalizing; it reduces the volume of the sound to roughly half its original level, producing a softer, less piercing bark or meow.