ALLEY CAT RESCUE











​California residents: protect cats' claws 

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Prohibit Declawing in the State of California

​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 867 by contacting Angelique Ashby by mailed letter to the address below, or by Email via this link. 
**Use this sample letter to tell the committee to support AB 867. Include a personal note to increase your impact:
​Subject: Prohibit Declawing, Please Vote to Pass AB 867

Angelique Ashby
Chair, Senate Business, Professions and Economic Development Committee
Capitol Office
1021 O Street
Suite 8630
Sacramento, CA 95814-4900

As a compassionate and concerned citizen, I urge you to pass AB 867, 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 New York, Maryland, the numerous countries around the world and almost every Canadian province, which have already banned this unnecessary and ineffective procedure.

​Please protect cats’ claws by voting in support of AB 867.
 
Sincerely,

[Your Name]
[Your address]
[Your city, state, zip]
[Your email address]
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  • Home
    • About ACR >
      • Our Team
      • History
      • Board of Directors
      • Email Sign-up
      • Financial Information
    • ACR in the Press
    • ACR Publications
    • Adoptions >
      • Adoption Application
      • Advice for Adopters
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Contact Us
    • Partnerships
  • Action Alerts
    • The Feral Fix
    • Spay Neuter Pledge
    • No Declaw Pledge
  • Spay/Neuter
    • Early Age Spay/Neuter
    • Misconceptions About Spay/Neuter
    • State Low Cost Spay/Neuter
  • Community Cats
    • What is a Feral Cat? >
      • Feral vs. Stray Cats
      • Benefits of Feral Cats
    • Trap-Neuter-Return >
      • TNR Step-by-Step
      • TNR/Community Cat Care Resources
      • Introduce TNR to Your Shelter
      • Solutions to Common Complaints
      • TNR Statistics
    • CAT Action Teams: TNR Groups by State
    • Feral Kittens >
      • What to do if you find kittens
      • Orphaned Kittens
      • Fostering Kittens
    • Providing Shelter
    • Health Care
    • Cat Overpopulation
    • Relocation
    • How to Adopt Out Cats
    • Protecting Cats During Winter
    • Protecting Cats During Summer
    • Feral Cats and the Law
    • Cats and Wildlife >
      • Why Eradication Methods Fail
    • Handbook 2023 Ed
  • Cat Health
    • Health Care for Your Cat >
      • Vet Care Financial Assistance
    • Common Cat Health Issues >
      • FeLV and FIV
      • Feline Panleukopenia
      • FIP
      • Rabies
      • Zoonotic Diseases
      • Indoor/Outdoor Cats
    • Cats & Claws
    • Animal Cruelty Against Cats
    • Poisonous Hazards >
      • Poisonous Plants
    • Cats and COVID-19
    • Pet Food Banks
    • Pet Disaster Preparedness
  • Cat Behavior
    • Solutions to Prevent Surrendering your cat >
      • Rehoming
    • Introducing Cats
    • Tips for Entertaining an Indoor Cat
    • Lost Cat
  • African Wildcats
    • AWC Conservation Projects
    • Press Release on African Wildcat Campaign
    • AWC Photo Contest
  • Donate
  • Store