Tacoma, Washington, has emerged as the pioneering city in the state to ban nontherapeutic cat declawing, following a unanimous decision by the City Council on Tuesday. The prohibition allows declawing only when performed by a licensed veterinarian for therapeutic purposes.
This groundbreaking move positions Tacoma as the first city in Washington to outlaw the procedure, known medically as feline onychectomy. Councilmember John Hines emphasized that the time was opportune to “choose cats, not couches,” alluding to cat owners who opt for declawing to safeguard their furniture from scratches.
Tacoma now joins a growing list of U.S. cities and states that have taken a stand against declawing, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Denver, Pittsburgh, St. Louis, Washington, D.C., New York, and Maryland, according to a City Council news release. The release categorizes declawing as inhumane, echoing the sentiments of various countries globally that have already banned the practice.
Washington boasts one of the highest rates of cat ownership in the U.S., with approximately 50,000 household cats in Tacoma alone. A council memo highlights safe alternatives to declawing, such as nail trimmers, scratching posts, nail covers, furniture protectors, and the assistance of animal trainers to address cat behaviors.
Expressing pride in the City Council’s decision, Councilmember John Hines stated, “I’m incredibly proud that the City Council has passed this ban on nontherapeutic cat declawing and that Tacoma takes animal welfare issues seriously.” Hines sponsored the ordinance alongside colleagues Olgy Diaz and Sarah Rumbaugh.
The news release underscores the painful and traumatic nature of declawing for cats, likening it to amputating human fingers at their knuckles. The procedure involves the amputation of a cat’s claws and third phalanges, with potential consequences including paw pain, infection, nerve damage, disability, and negative impacts on emotional well-being.
While declawing might be medically necessary in specific cases, such as cancerous tumors or severe paw injuries, Tacoma’s ban ensures that these scenarios remain unaffected. The ordinance will be effective from March 31, 2024, with violations considered civil infractions carrying a penalty of up to $250. Although the council contemplated making violations a crime, concerns about enforcement difficulties and equity led them to choose the civil infraction route.
The council’s interest in the issue was sparked by a resident sharing negative experiences with declawing, according to the memo. The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County supported the ban, drawing parallels between declawing and the illegal practice of docking dog ears and tails in Washington. Councilmember Olgy Diaz, describing herself as “an avid pet lover and former cat mom,” asserted that the ban will “stop the animal cruelty caused by cat declawing.”
