AB1230: Prohibit Declawing in the State of California
UPDATE (April, 2019): Unfortunately the bill did not pass out of committee. It will now become a two-year bill with another chance at consideration during the second year of the legislature's current session.
The declawing procedure can lead to lifelong injuries and behavioral issues in cats. It involves removing the first joint of the cat’s toe, equivalent to amputating the tip of a person's finger from the first knuckle on. Cats can suffer from symptoms such as chronic foot pain, infection, arthritis and difficulty walking.
Owners may declaw their cats in an attempt to prevent unwanted scratching, but sometimes the declaw procedure will actually cause new problem behaviors to occur. Declawed cats are more likely to urinate outside of the litter box because the litter has become painful to walk on; declawed cats may be more likely to bite because they can no longer use their paws and claws for protection. Further, scratching is a natural cat behavior that helps them exercise and tone their muscles.
Proponents of declawing will claim that the practice keeps cats in homes. However, data from U.S. cities that have banned declawing shows a decline in the number of relinquished cats since the bans were enacted. Declawing can bring about problems, such as litter-box issues and pain-induced aggression, that may actually make an owner more likely to relinquish their cat.
Effective and humane alternatives to the declaw procedure exist. Please show your support for AB 1230 by contacting your representatives.
Owners may declaw their cats in an attempt to prevent unwanted scratching, but sometimes the declaw procedure will actually cause new problem behaviors to occur. Declawed cats are more likely to urinate outside of the litter box because the litter has become painful to walk on; declawed cats may be more likely to bite because they can no longer use their paws and claws for protection. Further, scratching is a natural cat behavior that helps them exercise and tone their muscles.
Proponents of declawing will claim that the practice keeps cats in homes. However, data from U.S. cities that have banned declawing shows a decline in the number of relinquished cats since the bans were enacted. Declawing can bring about problems, such as litter-box issues and pain-induced aggression, that may actually make an owner more likely to relinquish their cat.
Effective and humane alternatives to the declaw procedure exist. Please show your support for AB 1230 by contacting your representatives.
**Use this sample letter to tell your representatives to support AB 1230. Include a personal note to increase your impact:
Subject: Prohibit Declawing, Please Support AB 1230
Dear [Representative],
As a compassionate and concerned citizen, I urge you to pass AB 1230, which would ban the painful procedure of declawing cats in the state of California. The declaw procedure is actually the amputation of the last joints of a cat’s toes; it creates lifelong damage that cannot be reversed.
A cat’s claws are essential; they’re used as a means of protection and defense and the grip they provide allows cats to stretch and strengthen muscles. Cats use their paws in many ways, from grooming to leaving their scent, and any pain from declawing can disrupt these natural behaviors.
Declawing does not address unwanted scratching behavior and in fact can cause additional behavioral problems due to chronic pain and trauma. A cat who experiences paw pain may exhibit litter box avoidance, and cats who lack claws may use their teeth more in nervous situations. Thankfully, there are many alternatives to declawing; scratching posts, nail caps and trims, spray deterrents and positive behavior modification are all ways to minimize problem scratching.
Eight cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, have already banned declawing. The state of California should join the numerous countries around the world and five Canadian provinces who have already banned this unnecessary and ineffective procedure.
Please protect cats’ claws by voting in support of AB 1230.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your address]
[Your city, state, zip]
[Your email address]