Buffalo Grove, IL – In a significant move this week, the Buffalo Grove Board of Trustees publicly denounced the practice of cat declawing and urged the Illinois General Assembly to enact a statewide ban on the procedure.
Cat declawing, an invasive and painful surgical procedure, involves the amputation of the last bone in a cat’s toes, akin to removing a human finger at the last joint. This procedure is typically performed for the convenience of pet owners rather than for the well-being of the animal, leading to a range of serious and lasting health issues for cats, including chronic pain, nerve damage, permanent disability, and lameness.
“Declawing is an inhumane and unnecessary surgery that inflicts enduring suffering on cats,” stated Denice Bocek, a trustee on the Buffalo Grove Village Board. “It is crucial for our community, the veterinary profession, and our state to take a definitive stand against this cruelty.”
Alicia Prygoski, Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager for the Animal Legal Defense Fund, supported the Board’s stance, adding, “Cats rely on their claws for essential natural behaviors. The removal of these claws results in chronic pain and injury. We commend the Buffalo Grove Board of Trustees for their commitment to ending this cruel practice.”
The negative impacts of declawing extend beyond physical pain; the procedure can lead to significant behavioral problems. Without claws, cats are unable to scratch, stretch, or mark their territory, leading to common issues such as inappropriate litterbox use and territorial marking. Some declawed cats may resort to biting as a defensive mechanism, potentially causing infections in humans. These behavioral changes can increase the likelihood of cats being surrendered to shelters.
Humane alternatives to manage scratching behavior include regular nail trimming, the use of scratching posts, and behavioral training.
Recent polling conducted by the Animal Legal Defense Fund revealed that 70 percent of veterinary professionals oppose declawing. Additionally, half of the surveyed veterinarians reported that their practices do not perform declawing procedures, either due to internal policies or a lack of willing practitioners.
Currently, New York, Maryland, Washington, D.C., and several other municipalities have enacted bans on cat declawing with specific exceptions for health-related issues. Virginia has also imposed a ban with limited exemptions.
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