This House resolution expresses opposition to elective declawing of cats, which the text defines to include onychectomy, tendonectomy, and other surgical, chemical, or mechanical procedures that remove or disable claws or their normal function. The resolution says scratching is a normal cat behavior and that declawing and tendonectomy are painful and can cause long-term physical and behavioral problems such as chronic pain, nerve damage, lameness, litter box aversion, and increased biting. It notes there is no evidence declawing reduces shelter surrenders and that many humane alternatives exist. The resolution cites support from organizations (for example, the Centers for Disease Control, the International Society of Feline Medicine, and the American Association of Feline Practitioners), lists countries and U.S. states and cities that have banned or restricted the practice, and urges veterinarians to discourage elective declawing. It says declawing should be performed only when medically necessary to treat an existing health problem in the claw, nail bed, or toe bone, and it urges State legislatures to consider banning elective declawing and tendonectomy.
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Supporters say declawing and tendonectomy are serious, painful procedures that prevent normal claw use, harm balance, and can cause long-term physical and behavioral harm (including chronic pain, nerve damage, lameness, litter box aversion, and increased biting). They say these harms make elective declawing inhumane, that declawing does not reduce shelter surrenders, and that humane alternatives exist. The resolution highlights endorsements or positions from multiple health and veterinary organizations and notes that many countries, provinces, states, and cities have banned or limited elective declawing.
No publicly available information.