New York Passes Cat Declawing Ban June 05 2019, 21 Comments
New York may become the first state in the United States to make declawing cats illegal.
Lawmakers in New York voted and passed the bill on Tuesday, June 4, which would outlaw several types of declawing surgeries except in cases of medical necessity, and forbid any such surgeries for “cosmetic or aesthetic reasons.” Veterinarians who perform the declawing procedure, or onychectomy, for nonmedical purposes would face a $1,000 fine.
Declawing can cause long-lasting complications for cats. Advocates note that it is a painful, unnecessary surgery that can lead to complications, nerve damage, pain and discomfort and even behavioral issues like sudden aggression and biting. In the past, declawing has been offered to cat owners as a way to keep cats from scratching on couches and furniture, seen as a "quick fix."
Many people believe that declawing is equivalent to getting your nails trimmed - but this is far from the truth. According to the Humane Society, "Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If performed on a human being, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle."
The bill faced some opposition from The New York Veterinary Medical Society, who argued that declawing should be allowed if a cat is using its claws destructively, or if a scratch could pose health risks to owners with compromised immune systems, or diseases like hemophilia and diabetes.
However, in these instances, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends sanitation methods and selective pet ownership over declawing.
The bill is just one signature away from making New York the first state in the country to ban cat declawing. The bill will be delivered to the desk of Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, who has indicated he will review the measure before making a decision.
Why Cats Need to Scratch
While cats might not always choose the best locations to scratch (your couch, for example), scratching is a natural and necessary behavior for cats. It is a tool for communication, stress relief, and exercise. Like you might stretch your muscles and keep in shape with a yoga routine, scratching helps your cat to both stretch muscles and relieve any tension or stress - and communicate to other animals in the household.
Tips to Stop Unwanted Scratching
- Keep their claws trimmed. This will minimize damage to household items
- Provide ample scratchers and scratching posts. Find a scratcher that works for your cat, as some cats have different scratching preferences. If you notice your cat scratching on your carpet or rugs, try a scratcher that lays on the floor. If they focus more on the arms of couches, a hanging scratcher or pole scratcher might be a better fit. Use toys and catnip to entice your cat to use the posts and boards.
- Make the couch/surface undesirable to the cat. Make the surface of the furniture unscratchable. Adhesive furniture protectors or deterrent sprays make for an unpleasant scratching experience and will help discourage your cat from scratching.
Comments
Denise on June 10 2019 at 12:45PM
Finally!!!!! Now let’s see all the other states follow suit.
SuzeV on June 09 2019 at 12:00AM
I have had cats all my life. They are after all my favorite animal. I have a total of 6 rescues. I have never had any of my cats declawed but, have rescued one that had both front and back done. He was pretty aggressive towards everyone except for me and ended up with really bad arthritis. I never understood why until one of my recent rescues made me watch a YouTube video regarding the horrific, total truth. It made me cry to think anyone could be so cruel to have it done and especially actually perform the operation. How can you say you love your pet and, condone such a barbaric practice? You can always buy new furniture but, you can never buy new paws. I have many scratching post/trees plus they love the cardboard ones that lay on the ground (bit messy but, worth it!). When I buy new furniture, the double sided tape works miracles in training them to not scratch. After a couple months, I didn’t need it anymore. They truly are intelligent and beautiful creatures. Now I’m off my soap box.
Jami Pillow on June 08 2019 at 05:34PM
I hope all states wake up and pass this into law. The practice of declawing is cruel and unnecessary. If you like your furniture better than your cat then properly train your cat or don’t get one at all!
Clay Goldstein on June 08 2019 at 04:53PM
Best news ever !!!!! Come on Florida, let’s be next !
Sherrie Stieberitz on June 08 2019 at 04:13PM
I have seen too many amputations as a tech. Cried for every one! My DVM does not practice this barbaric procedure anymore and I am very proud of her for being ahead of her time! Congrats Doc our dream may come true!
Roz Sanchez on June 08 2019 at 02:40PM
I always trimmed my cats nails. I did need someone to hold them, then gave a treat to them after each paw was done. Now I foster 2 adult cats and 4 kittens. I started trimming the kittens with a small nail clipper. One of the older cats was laid on her side and was ok when I clipped her nails. I just do the very tip every two weeks
cat mama on June 08 2019 at 01:23PM
Instead of adopting a cat or two, banning declawing will result in fewer cat adoptions, more euthenasia, and indoor cats being turned out, increasing their risk of an earlier death. If we couldn’t have declawed our fur babies, we wouldn’t be able to have them today.
Jude Spero on June 08 2019 at 01:21PM
I have had cats most of my life and never had problems trimming their nails, except for a few more aggressive male cats.
We recently adopted 2 littermates, a male and female. Both kittens have extra toes on their front paws. The male has 6 toes on each front paw and the female has 7 on one paw and 8 on the other! This really presents a challenge trimming these extra little toes. Our vet showed me how to do it but warned these extra nails can quickly curl in and grow into the skin. Depending on how the paws on the female do as she grows up, we may have to have the extra little nails removed. This would only be done if it became impossible for me to trim them safely. So far I’ve done it about 4 times but it’s really hard to get those tiny in-between ones. I’m hoping they get more used to me handling their paws, as it takes much longer to trim them carefully! Wish me luck!
Jamie Sommerfeldt on June 08 2019 at 12:26PM
In my hometown of San Francisco, feline declawing has been illegal for years. I can only hope the rest of California will follow New York’s historic lead.
Jean on June 08 2019 at 12:17PM
Yeah! Let us hope all the other states follow their lead!!
JOANNE LEDIGER on June 08 2019 at 12:04PM
This is music to my ears!!!
However, if I could add my 2 cents to your “TIPS TO UNWANTED SCRATCHING” and ask you put some more details
about keeping your cat’s claws trimmed (Tip #1). While I have never trimmed my cats claws, I could foresee some people trying to do it themselves and maybe hurting the cat (and themselves, lol). Is this something I would take my cat to the vet for, or should I find a grooming place?
On second thought, who am I kidding, my furniture is in shreds and I couldn’t give a rats ass. My sweetie can do whatever his little furry heart desires! haha!
Kim Pettigrass on June 08 2019 at 12:02PM
This has been a long time coming!
sandra l gefre on June 08 2019 at 11:46AM
It’s about time..declawing is barbaric. Don’t have a cat if your concerned about your furniture..have plenty of scratching posts etc available to your cat and you won’t have this problem!!
Justin Key on June 08 2019 at 11:30AM
I really hope this goes through and removes this vile practice… and not only is it followed up by other states of the US but the punishement is raised ($1000 to a vet is nothing) to that of the UK… any non-medical declawing here is up to £20,000 (about $25,000) fine and/or a year in prison; that makes money grabbers think twice
Melissa Hjorth on June 08 2019 at 11:25AM
I am so happy to hear about this declawing ban. I hope that other states adopt this. I have 4 cats, and provide scratching posts for them, never had a problem with damaged furniture. Thanks, Meowingtons, for being a major supporter of the Paw Project and being a voice for protection of cats in general!
Lorraine on June 08 2019 at 11:25AM
I’m so very glad to hear this and hope that very soon absolutely nowhere will allow this barbaric practice
Roxanne Coryell on June 08 2019 at 10:48AM
I hope and pray that all states will follow suit and do the same! I live in Indiana, and hope such a ban passes here in the immediate future. So many veterinary clinics declare themselves to be “Cat Friendly Practices,” yet they still do declawing surgeries! Wrong, wrong, wrong!!!
Jennifer Conrad on June 08 2019 at 10:46AM
Thanks, Meowingtons, for always being a big supporter of the Paw Project, the world’s largest organization soley dedicated to banning declawing. Dear Public, you should know that Meowingtons has always donated swag for us to give out at schools and educational programs to help get the children engaged in cat rescue and never declawing! A big part of this victory is yours, Meowingtons!
Jennifer Conrad on June 08 2019 at 10:45AM
Thanks, Meowingtons, for always being a big supporter of the Paw Project, the world’s largest organization soley dedicated to banning declawing. Dear Public, you should know that Meowingtons has always donated swag for us to give out at schools and educational programs to help get the children engaged in cat rescue and never declawing! A big part of this victory is yours, Meowingtons!
CheriDawson on June 08 2019 at 10:26AM
We have been guardians of our quadrupeds for 26 years now. They have all been tabbies except for one Maine Coon. The first 22 yrs, out cats were indoor/outdoor cats. These last 3 became inside only and one from the original litter no longer goes outside. Almost every room has at least and one tall scratching post and the long hallway has 3 or four. Plus we have plenty of toys for them.
I am so happy that my original home state has been working on no-amputation.
MARIA JOSE LARENAS OLMEDO on June 06 2019 at 03:07PM
AAMO LOS GATOS