Purr-fect Health: New York Bill Could Ban Cat Declawing Statewide

When it comes to pets, people can show a level of care that can appear to supersede their fellow man. But that doesn’t mean pets, especially cats, have been subject to practices that could be considered cruel in some manner.

And while some strides have been made to keep cats safe, New York is looking to take a big step forward.

A bill is currently being worked through the New York Senate and Assembly that would make cat declawing illegal statewide. It’s expected to go to vote on Tuesday for approval before going to Gov. Andrew Cuomo.

The practice of cat declawing is widely considered cruel and barbaric by animal welfare advocates and veterinarians and is already illegal in much of Europe. The reason is declawing a cat is not simply amputating the claw back to the base, similar to an amputated tusk on a rhino or elephant. Instead, declawing usually requires a full amputation of a cat’s toe all the way back to the paw’s first knuckle.

“New York prides itself on being first,” said bill sponsor, Assemblymember Linda Rosenthal. She also expressed an expectation that, if passed, the bill would have a “domino effect” in other states.

However, there has been some pushback against the bill. The New York State Veterinary Medical Society has said the procedure should remain legal as a last resort procedure for cats that won’t stop scratching furniture and owners or if the cat has a weakened immune system.

If passed, anyone found in violation of the ban could be fined up to $1,000. However, vets would still be allowed to perform a declawing for medical reasons.