For those of us who own pets , we cherish them deeply and love them without exception. That’s why it comes as such a shock when we hear of someone not caring for their animal to the highest caliber possible, and an even bigger shock when we learn someone might hurt them on purpose in order to protect their furniture.
That’s what declawing a cat is, and as more people realize how awful that is to subject a pet to, they’re taking the steps to make sure it’s not even provided as an option.
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Maryland is following in New York’s steps by banning cat declawing procedures.
The Maryland House voted on March 10 to prohibit cat declawing, becoming the second state to do so after New York passed the same ruling in 2019. There are a few individual cities that have banned it as well, such as Los Angeles and Denver.
An identical bill passed the state’s Senate last month and could soon be signed into law by the governor.
People are truly beginning to understand the barbaric nature of declawing cats.
As House sponsor and Maryland State Del. Lorig Chakoudin told The Washington Post , “When people wrap their head around it, the idea that we would mutilate to protect a furniture item is abhorrent to people.”
Not to mention the degree with which it permanently disables cats.
In a description by the Senate bill sponsor, Democratic Sen. Cheryl C. Kagan explains that the procedure “takes not just the nail, but the nail bed and part of the bone and cuts it off. What happens is that leaves a cavity there, and that makes it very painful for them to walk, to use their litter box or to just be happy little, little campers.”
There are, of course, exceptions.
If there is an instance where declawing the cat will be beneficial or there’s any sort of medical reason to remove the cat’s claws, then it’s fine to do so, but declawing for convenience or aesthetic reasons will be prohibited.
Veterinarians who continue to perform declawings could be fined up to $5000 for a first offense, up to $10000 for a second offense, and could potentially have their license revoked or suspended.
Thankfully, declawing has already been on the decline.
People are more aware now of how traumatic and painful declawing is for their cats, and have vowed not to continue the practice. Entire countries in Europe, such as Germany, have already banned the procedure, likening it to animal cruelty.
New York and Maryland are taking the right steps to ensure many future generations of happy, healthy pets, and hopefully other states follow suit!
h/t: People
