MI RESIDENTS: SUPPORT A STATEWIDE DECLAW BAN
Write to the head of the in the House Committee and Professional Licensure in support of Bill HB4674, which would prohibit vets from performing partial or complete declawing, or any other surgery that interferes with a cat's use of her paws, toes, or claws.
**Use this sample letter to tell your representatives to support HB4674. Include a personal note to increase your impact:
Subject: Prohibit Declawing, Please Support HB 4674
Dear Representative Miller,
As a compassionate and concerned citizen, I urge you to support bill HB4674, which would vet from declawing cats in the state of Michigan. 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 Michigan should join New York, Maryland, the numerous countries around the world and almost every Canadian province, which have already banned this unnecessary and ineffective procedure.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your address]
[Your city, state, zip]
[Your email address]
Dear Representative Miller,
As a compassionate and concerned citizen, I urge you to support bill HB4674, which would vet from declawing cats in the state of Michigan. 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 Michigan should join New York, Maryland, the numerous countries around the world and almost every Canadian province, which have already banned this unnecessary and ineffective procedure.
Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your address]
[Your city, state, zip]
[Your email address]