Request to Support Legislation Banning Cat Declawing

I am writing to urge you to support legislation that would prohibit the practice of cat declawing, a procedure that causes permanent physical harm to animals while offering no medical benefit. Declawing is not simply a nail trim. The procedure involves amputating the last bone of each toe, equivalent to removing a human finger at the last knuckle. This surgery causes immediate pain and creates long-term complications including chronic pain, nerve damage, and behavioral changes such as increased biting and litter box avoidance. Cats rely on their claws for balance, exercise, and natural stretching movements. Removing these essential anatomical structures fundamentally impairs their physical capabilities and quality of life. The veterinary community increasingly recognizes declawing as an indefensible practice. The procedure is already banned in dozens of countries including the United Kingdom, Australia, and much of Europe. Within the United States, New York became the first state to prohibit declawing in 2019, followed by Maryland in 2022. Major cities including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, and Austin have enacted local bans. The American Association of Feline Practitioners strongly opposes the procedure except in rare medical circumstances. Effective alternatives exist that protect both furniture and feline welfare. Regular nail trimming, scratching posts, nail caps, and behavioral training successfully address scratching concerns without surgical intervention. These humane options preserve the human-animal bond while respecting animal welfare. I ask that you introduce or co-sponsor legislation prohibiting elective declawing procedures except when medically necessary to address disease or injury. Such a measure would align our state with growing national and international consensus that this practice constitutes unnecessary animal cruelty. Protecting cats from preventable harm reflects our community's values and our responsibility to those who depend on our care.