EVANSTON, Ill. — The Evanston City Council has passed a new ordinance this week banning the declawing of cats, a move aimed at protecting feline health and preventing unnecessary suffering.
Declawing is a surgical procedure that removes the last bone of each toe, similar to amputating the last knuckle of a human finger. The operation can result in serious long-term health problems for cats, including nerve damage, chronic pain, and difficulty walking.
Animal welfare advocates praised the decision. “We are grateful to the Evanston City Council for prohibiting cruel cat declaw surgery, which causes chronic injury and pain,” said Alicia Prygoski, Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager with the Animal Legal Defense Fund. “Cats need their claws for many natural behaviors, and their health should not be compromised for convenience.”
Council Member Devon Reid also supported the ordinance, calling the procedure outdated and inhumane. “Declawing is a cruel practice that puts owner preferences ahead of a cat’s well-being. It causes lifelong suffering and has no place in Evanston,” Reid said.
Removing a cat’s claws can also lead to behavioral issues. Declawed cats may have trouble using litter boxes and marking territory, and many become more likely to bite, as they can no longer defend themselves with their claws. These behaviors increase the risk of cats being surrendered to shelters.
Experts recommend humane alternatives to manage scratching, such as regular nail trimming, scratching posts, and behavior training.
A 2024 poll by the Animal Legal Defense Fund found that 70 percent of veterinary professionals oppose declawing. Half of those surveyed said their clinics refuse to perform the procedure, either by policy or due to lack of willing veterinarians.
Evanston joins a growing number of cities and states restricting or banning cat declawing. New York, Maryland, Virginia, Washington, D.C., and several other municipalities have already outlawed the procedure, with exceptions only for medical necessity.
Related Topics
