SAN FRANCISCO — The practice of declawing cats, once seen by some as a quick way to stop furniture scratching, is now facing widespread opposition and legal bans across the United States. New York, Maryland, and Washington, D.C. have already outlawed declawing with only limited exceptions for medical reasons. Virginia has also banned the procedure, and more states are considering similar legislation.
Declawing is a painful surgery that removes the last bones of a cat’s front toes. It can cause lasting problems such as chronic pain, infections, nerve damage, arthritis, loss of balance, and even lameness. The procedure can also lead to behavioral issues like increased biting and avoiding the litter box due to pain.
The Animal Legal Defense Legislative Fund released a new poll showing strong opposition to declawing within the veterinary community. The survey found:
- 70% of veterinary professionals oppose declawing cats.
- 85% of vets under 50 oppose the procedure.
- 90% of vets with less than 10 years of experience support statewide bans.
- 67% of vets with 11 to 20 years of experience support bans.
Kim Kelly, Executive Director of the Animal Legal Defense Legislative Fund, said the public would likely reject declawing if they fully understood its harmful effects. She noted a shift in the veterinary community, with younger vets prioritizing cats’ health over convenience.
The American Veterinary Medical Association classifies declawing as major surgery. Despite this, it is often done for convenience rather than medical need.
Veterinarians cited changing public attitudes, growing recognition of cats as family members, education on non-invasive alternatives, and newer vets opposing the surgery as reasons for the growing movement against declawing.
Besides the states with bans, legislation is active in Arizona, California, Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Many major cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Pittsburgh, Austin, and Washington, D.C., have also enacted local bans on the practice.
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