FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Veterinarians Support Massachusetts’ Ban on Declawing Cats
BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS (Mar. 27, 2023) — Massachusetts Bill S.190, introduced by Senator Mark Montigny, hopes to ban the practice of cat declawing in the state, following in the footsteps of New York and Maryland. Veterinarians in Massachusetts are enthusiastic about this much-needed regulation to protect cats and they’re urging the Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) to support the bill.
The bill does allow for declawing for therapeutic reasons, such as removing a cancerous growth from a cat’s toe. Those who violate the law “shall be punished by a fine of not more than $1,000 for a first offense, by a fine of not more than $1,500 for a second offense, and by a fine of not more than $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense.”
When New Hampshire’s declaw ban passed the House vote on March 16th, Dr. Martha Smith-Blackmore, founder of Forensic Veterinary Investigations near Boston, said in a tweet, “May Massachusetts be next!”
Many veterinarians support bans on declawing because of research that shows how damaging declawing procedures can be both on a cat’s mental health and their ability to remain cared for by their guardians. One study showed 33% of cats suffer at least one behavioral problem after declaw or tendonectomy surgery—17.9% of declawed cats show an increase in biting, with 18.5% of declawed cats more likely than non-declawed cats to bite, while 15.4% would not use a litter box.
Dr. Nicholas Dodman, Professor Emeritus and founder of the Animal Behavior Clinic at Tufts University, strongly advocates for legislation that would prohibit declawing cats. He remarks, "I know many young veterinarians might feel pressured by their older bosses to yield to their clients’ demands to declaw. They could use the backing of legislation so they no longer have to waste time with these emotionally taxing conversations.”
Dr. Crystal Heath, a co-founder of the veterinary advocacy group Our Honor, agrees with Dr. Dodman’s’ support of the bill. “It’s been over 20 years since the first declaw ban was introduced in Southern California,” says Dr. Heath, and “now we have data showing that declaw bans don’t result in an increased number of cats relinquished to the shelter.” She points to a 2022 study (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34514907/) that found no rise in cats being surrendered to the shelter system after a declaw ban was enacted. “Many cats I see at the shelter are declawed and the reason they end up being relinquished is because of the biting and house soiling that is so often a side effect of declawing.”
According to Alley Cat Allies, at least 42 countries have made declawing illegal. The practice has also been banned in two states, and over a dozen municipalities.
Drs. Dodman and Heath are urging those who want to support the bans to visit https://malegislature.gov/Search/FindMyLegislator to find contact information for your representative and tell them you support S.190.
