I used to have two cats, and I never had them declawed. However when things started to get bad, I had to take them to the shelter. Call me a meanie all you want, but I couldn’t see paying to get their claws cut, and I couldn’t afford to have them destroying furniture, where it would cost me in the long run.
So it’s easy for me to say the following: if you value your furniture or things in your house, don’t get a cat!
From NJ.com:
New Jersey is on its way to becoming the first state in the country to ban veterinarians from declawing cats.
A bill that cleared an Assembly committee on Monday would add onychetomy — the medical term for declawing — to the list of criminal animal cruelty offenses. There would be exceptions for medical purposes.
Veterinarians caught declawing a cat and people who seek them out would face a fine of up to $1,000 or six months in jail. Violators would also face a civil penalty of $500 to $2,000, according to the bill (A3899).
The procedure is typically done to prevent cats from shredding furniture or other household property, or because a cat has not learned how to play properly.
Many animal welfare organizations oppose the practice because they say it is painful procedure — akin to cutting off the top part of a finger. Some animals experience personality changes and discomfort using litter boxes, the bill’s supporters told the Assembly Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee.
Good, this practice needs to end everywhere! A vet told me that declawing to cats would be like breaking your knuckles to humans.I also can’t stand when people clip ears or cut tails off dogs. They are born with those things, and it should not be taken away. Declawing is the worst though, because it takes away a cat’s self-defense mechanism and it hurts them.
If you clip their nails and get an inexpensive scratching post, you’ll be fine. Be humane!
Besides, if you have small children, a fully-clawed cat could very well save their life!
How do you fee about the declawing law for cats? Do you think it’s a good idea? Share your voices below in the comment section and let us know how this could affect not only this state but many others.
