Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill this week to abolish cat declawing, making California one of few states to outlaw the practice. AB 867 was written by state Assemblymember Alex Lee, who calls cat declawing inhumane. “This important legislation shows our commitment to protecting our cat companions,” Lee said in a statement. “After years of pushing to make this a reality, I’m proud to see California create a more compassionate society for our feline friends.” The purpose of declawing is to prevent cats from scratching other animals, humans, or household furniture. Since claws are one of a cat’s primary defenses, removing them can lead to an increase in aggressive behaviors like biting, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. The procedure can be painful and also lead to an increased risk of chronic back pain and over-grooming. Litter box avoidance is also more frequent among declawed cats, according to studies in the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association and the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery. “Declawing isn’t a nail trim, it’s a painful amputation that has no place in a compassionate society,” said Dr. Marilyn Kroplick, president of In Defense of Animals in a statement. In Defense of Animals is a national organization focused on promoting animal welfare. The move to make declawing of domestic cats illegal in the U.S. began in California when the city of West Hollywood banned the procedure in 2003. Seven more California cities have also adopted the ban, including San Francisco and Berkeley.
Cat declawing is still legal in most states. New York became the first state to ban the practice in 2019, followed by Maryland, Virginia, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and now California. The procedure is banned in 38 countries, according to People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. The new law allows exceptions if a licensed veterinarian determines that the procedure is medically necessary for a cat’s health.
Meouch! Why don’t furniture manufacturers make scratch proof sofas & arm chairs then advertise them as such?
I’m sure cat owners would buy ’em if they are priced reasonably.
Irrespective of the legalities, it seems to me that a vet with any ethical principles at all would refuse to declaw a cat. It should also be applied to unnecessary surgical procedures such as
the cropping of ears and tails on a dog. It’s all for show and doesn’t benefit the animal.
Cats are smart, get them a scratching post, and they will leave the furniture alone.
Newscum can no longer do anything for the people so turns to the animals. He’s already familiar with all the jackasses that follow support so he’ll serve out his last term of anything politics related and retire in a zoo.
Newsom is really scraping the bottom of the barrel to try to show he’s doing anything … c’mon Gavin – get with it!
Thid is Ridiculus, arn’t there more pressing needs to deal with?
There is. However, Greasy Gaven and the other feckless democrat politicians have zero ability to remedy the real problems here in the state. So, in an attempt to help make themselves look and feel important, they create phony empty issues for themselves to handle and solve.
The Texas Legislature meets on second Tuesday in January of
each odd-numbered year. Texas Constitution limits the regular session
to only 140 calendar days. ……. HINT …….. HINT……. HINT… ! ! !
.
TEXAS legislature doesn’t over regulate it’s citizens.
California would be a better place to live addle brained state legislature
had same time restrictions as TEXAS.
Politics aside, to declaw a cat is an attempt to assert your dominance and removing any chance of survival that cat has.
Get a goldfish.
Assert your dominance. Fascinating.
In reality – Lots and lots of cats are kept inside for their entire lives.
My point exactly.
Awesome! That’s right up there with his monumental law that bans hairdoo discrimination.
Who votes for that clown???
Declawing is controversial. As an animal lover with two indoor cats, we have their nails trimmed. A friend of mine is a veterinarian and she said nail trimming is “no easy task” for the average pet owner. She does it for our kitties, and in return she gets referrals and home cooked meals. Thanks Linda…
Trimming the nails on a cat can’t be any more difficult than trying to baptize it.
I wish California would work to ‘declaw’ the criminals!
Ban declawing cats, feticide not only ok, but an attempted touring industry. Got it.
Most liberals care more about cats than babies.
There Cats, Can’t we do somrthing about fire hazards in the Forrest, homess camping on our streets, rampant unreported crime?