Efforts to ban the inhumane practice of declawing cats has been before lawmakers in New York state in the past and didn’t get passed. However, an effort to ban the practice is back in front of lawmakers. Legislation to prohibit the procedure for aesthetic purposes has been introduced in the Senate and Assembly.
To be clear, The Catington Post is a strong advocate against declawing. It’s a painful amputation of a cat’s knuckles – not simply removing claws, as many people still believe. It’s a procedure that’s extremely painful, and can have lasting, even lifelong, emotional and physical effects on a cat, whose very nature is to use his claws.
New York’s largest veterinary association come out against the ban, saying the procedure should remain legal as a last resort for cats that won’t stop scratching furniture or people. However, the Humane Society, as well as many veterinarians and politicians are on board with this ban including Democratic Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, who sponsored the bill.
If the bill passes, New York would become the first state in the union to enact a statewide ban of the practice of declawing, though a similar bill has been introduced for consideration by lawmakers in New Jersey, and it is already banned in many cities in California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco. The practice is also considered cruel and illegal in several countries in Europe and the United Kingdom.
