The Battle Against Cat Declawing: Nys Law Explained

On July 22, 2019, New York became the first state in the country to ban cat declawing, a practice that animal advocates consider cruel and unnecessary. The bill was signed into law by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who called the practice archaic, inhumane, and unnecessary. The law went into effect immediately and made exceptions for medical purposes. Performing the procedure on a cat for any other reason could lead to a fine of up to $1,000.

The law was signed by Gov. Andrew Cuomo on July 22, 2019

On July 22, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Senate Bill S5532B/AB 1303, effectively banning cat declawing in New York State. The bill was signed into law after state legislators passed the ban, making New York the first state in the country to ban the practice. The law went into effect immediately and made exceptions for medical purposes. Performing the procedure on a cat for any other reason could lead to a fine of up to $1,000.

The bill was first introduced in January 2015 by Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal, who called the practice "cruel, barbaric and inhumane." She had been advocating for the anti-declawing bill for five years before it was signed into law. The bill was supported by the Animal Law Committee of the New York City Bar Association ("City Bar"), who created a detailed report on the proposed legislation. The report cited evidence from Los Angeles County, which implemented a similar ban in 2009, showing that a ban on declawing would not result in an increase in abandoned cats.

Governor Cuomo called declawing an "archaic, inhumane, and unnecessary" procedure, and said that the bill would "ensure that animals are no longer subjected to these inhumane and unnecessary procedures." The law explicitly prohibits declawing for "cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat." This led to opposition from the New York State Veterinary Medical Society, who argued that declawing should be legal for healthy cats as a last resort. They claimed that the law would result in more owners abandoning their cats.

Declawing, also known as onychectomy, involves amputating the first segment of a cat's toes, including the bones, tendons, nerves, and ligaments. The procedure was widely popular in the United States for decades to prevent damage or injury from cat scratches. However, in recent years, it has been criticized by animal rights activists and some veterinary groups as cruel and unnecessary. Supporters of the ban estimate that at least a quarter of all domestic cats in the U.S. have been declawed, and it is hoped that the New York ban will have a domino effect, leading to similar bans in other states.

The ban was supported by Alley Cat Allies and The Paw Project

On July 22, 2019, New York became the first state in the US to ban cat declawing. The bill was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo, who called the practice "archaic", "inhumane", and "unnecessary". The law came into effect immediately and made exceptions for medical purposes. Performing the procedure on a cat for any other reason could lead to a fine of up to $1,000. The ban was supported by Alley Cat Allies and The Paw Project, both organisations dedicated to the humane treatment of cats.

Alley Cat Allies is a nonprofit organisation based in Bethesda, Maryland. It was founded in 1990 after 56 cats and two smaller colonies were discovered in an alley in Washington, DC. The cats were neutered using the trap-neuter-return (TNR) method, and the organisation was born out of a need for more resources and information on this method. Alley Cat Allies focuses on stray and feral cat advocacy and TNR, which it considers a humane and effective method of managing feral cat populations. The organisation helps launch and improve TNR programs and expand affordable spay and neuter services. Alley Cat Allies also educates the public about the number of cats killed annually in animal shelters and works to reform the shelter system to better serve the needs of feral cats.

The Paw Project is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organisation with the goal of ending the practice of feline declawing. For more than two decades, it has been committed to educating the public, legislators, and veterinarians about how this potentially crippling surgical procedure can harm a cat's physical health and result in disturbing behavioural changes. The Paw Project aims to correct misinformation and debunk myths about declawing, which often aim to reassure pet owners that declawing their cat is not harmful or may even be beneficial. The organisation makes it clear that cats do not benefit from declaw surgery and that there are humane alternatives that promote the safety and health of cats, as well as their owners, families, and other pets.

The law allows exceptions for medical purposes

On July 22, 2019, New York became the first state in the US to ban cat declawing, a practice that animal advocates consider cruel and unnecessary. The law, which came into effect immediately, prohibits the amputation procedure unless done to treat a medical condition affecting the cat.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also does not support legislative restrictions on declawing. While it encourages veterinarians to educate clients about normal scratching behaviour in cats, it maintains that the decision to declaw should be made by the owners in consultation with their veterinarian. However, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) advises that even in households with vulnerable people, declawing is not recommended as cats need their claws for various activities. The CDC recommends that vulnerable cat owners avoid rough play and situations where scratches are likely.

The law explicitly prohibits declawing for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat. Performing the procedure on a cat for any reason other than medical necessity is subject to a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

The fine for declawing a cat for non-medical reasons is up to $1,000

On July 22, 2019, New York became the first state in the US to ban the declawing of cats. Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Senate Bill S5532B/AB 1303, which prohibits anyone from performing an onychectomy, phalangectomy, or tendonectomy procedure on a cat within the state, except when medically necessary. The law went into effect immediately and carries a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for those who violate it.

Declawing is an invasive surgical procedure that involves amputating the last bone of each toe of a cat, similar to severing a human finger at the top knuckle. It is often done to prevent cats from scratching furniture and causing damage with their claws. However, declawing is considered cruel and painful, leading to physical and behavioural problems for cats, such as increased biting, aggression, and difficulty using litter boxes.

The New York law includes exceptions for veterinarians who perform the procedure for therapeutic purposes, such as treating an existing infection, disease, or injury in the cat. This exception aims to address concerns that a complete ban on declawing could lead to higher rates of cat abandonment or euthanasia.

The fine of up to $1,000 for declawing a cat for non-medical reasons in New York sends a strong message about the seriousness of this issue and the state's commitment to animal welfare. It is important to note that this law only applies within the state of New York, and cat owners in other states may still have their cats declawed, although this is becoming less common.

While some veterinary associations opposed the New York law, citing concerns about potential increases in cat abandonment, it is important to recognise the significant negative impact of declawing on cat welfare. The procedure is now widely considered an unacceptable practice that causes unnecessary pain and suffering to cats.

The New York State Veterinary Medical Society opposed the ban

On July 22, 2019, Governor Andrew Cuomo signed Senate Bill S5532B/AB 1303, which banned cat declawing in New York State. The bill, which had bipartisan support, was introduced by Assemblywoman Linda B. Rosenthal in January 2015. The bill made performing the procedure, except for medical purposes, punishable by a civil penalty of up to $1,000.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) also did not support the ban. While it encourages veterinarians to educate clients about the normal scratching behaviour of cats, it maintains that the decision to declaw should be left to owners in consultation with their veterinarian.

However, the consensus within the veterinary community is shifting. Veterinary medical associations in California and Colorado also opposed cat declawing bans in their respective states, according to the VIN News Service. Additionally, the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association revised its position statement in 2011 to clearly oppose declawing on ethical grounds.

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