3 days ago
Cat declawing could be outlawed in Pennsylvania with new legislation
HARRISBURG, Pa. (WTAJ) — Many cat owners turn to declawing to stop their pets from scratching up furniture and carpets — but the 'inhumane' act could soon be outlawed in Pennsylvania.
Pa. Senators Carolyn T. Commita (D-Chester) and Tracy Pennycuick (R-Berks/Montgomery) introduced Senate Bill 846, which will make it illegal to declaw cats unless it is medically necessary and performed by a licensed veterinarian.
'Declawing (onychectomy) is an elective procedure that amputates most or all of the last bone of each of the cat's toes,' the Senators said in a joint memo. 'The procedure is commonly performed to prevent unwanted scratching. Animal advocates, veterinarians, and others acknowledge that this procedure is inhumane, unnecessary, and traumatic.'
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According to Commita and Pennycuick, numerous agencies won't support declawing cats as an elective procedure, including the Humane Society of the United States and the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association. In 2020, the nation's largest veterinary chains, VCA, Banfield, and Blue Pearl, with their 10,000-plus veterinarians nationwide, banned declawing.
Necessary cat declawing noted in the joint memo includes tumors, persistent infections, injuries, and congenital bill is co-sponsored by nine Senators from both sides of the aisle, including Doug Mastriano and Wayne Fontana. Committa added that the bill was co-sponsored in the last Senate session by Fontana, Cappelletti, Robinson, Costa, Mastriano, and Muth.
The bill was introduced and is currently with the Judiciary Committee, which Republican Lisa Baker leads as Chair, while Democrat Amanda M. Cappelletti leads as Minority Chair.
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