Tomorrow, the New York Assembly Agriculture Committee will discuss the Anti-Declawing Bill, A.B. 1297. New York Residents: Ask your elected officials to support the Anti-Declawing Bill.

Declawing a cat is a painful process involving the amputation of the last bone in each of cat’s toes in order to prevent them from scratching objects. It is cruel, unnecessary, and irreversible.

The Anti-Declawing Bill would prohibit declawing cats except in rare cases of medical necessity such as when the cat has a tumor in the bone. Declawing can cause cats physical and psychological harm. There are much simpler, more humane solutions to the behaviors these procedures attempt to addresssuch as installing scratching posts or behavioral training.

There is nothing to support the old belief that declawing cats helps keep them in homes. In fact, cats’ claws serve an important role in maintaining healthy habits like grooming and exercise, and are also used to help cats keep their balance. Declawing is unnecessary and can cause permanent damage. Declawing is not in the best interest of cats or cat owners.

New York Residents: Take Action!
Not in New York? Learn how you can protect and improve the lives of cats where you live.