MD RESIDENTS: SUPPORT A STATEWIDE DECLAW BAN
UPDATE (March 25, 2022): The bill has been signed into law by the governor!
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UPDATE (April 8, 2022): The bill has passed through both the Senate and House! It is now on the desk of Governor Hogan. Urge the governor to sign it into law!
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Write Governor Hogan and ask him to sign crossover bills HB22 / SB67, which will outlaw declawing of cats in Maryland and make disobedience by a veterinary practitioner punishable by revocation of veterinary board licenses.
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UPDATE (April 8, 2022): The bill has passed through both the Senate and House! It is now on the desk of Governor Hogan. Urge the governor to sign it into law!
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Write Governor Hogan and ask him to sign crossover bills HB22 / SB67, which will outlaw declawing of cats in Maryland and make disobedience by a veterinary practitioner punishable by revocation of veterinary board licenses.
**Use this sample letter to tell Governor Hogan to sign HB22 / SB67. Include a personal note to increase your impact:
Subject: Prohibit Declawing, Please Support HB22 / SB67
Dear Governor Hogan,
As a compassionate and concerned citizen, I urge you to pass HB22 / SB67, which would ban the painful procedure of declawing cats in the state of Maryland. 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 that 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 the expression of these natural behaviors.
Declawing does not address unwanted scratching 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. While some may argue that declawing can help a particular cat remain in a home, research has shown that many, if not most, cats who are relinquished to shelters for behavioral reasons are declawed. Thankfully, there are numerous alternatives to declawing; scratching posts, nail caps and trims, spray deterrents and positive behavior modification are all ways to minimize problem scratching.
The state of Maryland should join New York and the numerous countries around the world and five Canadian provinces who have already banned this unnecessary and ineffective procedure.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your address]
[Your city, state, zip]
[Your email address]