New York could become 1st state to ban cat declawing

New York would be the first state to ban the declawing of cats under a legislative proposal that has divided veterinarians.

Several vets — along with a spokescat named Rubio — came to the state Capitol on Tuesday to lobby for the ban. They say the declawing procedure, which involves cutting through bone, tendon and nerves to amputate the first segment of a cat's toes, is unnecessary and cruel. Australia, Britain and several European countries already ban the practice. It's also illegal in Los Angeles and some other California cities.

"It's a disfiguring, inhumane and misguided procedure," said Eileen Jefferson, an Ulster County veterinarian who does not perform the procedure. She said about 25 percent of cats will be declawed.

While Jefferson and the other vets discussed the bill at a press conference in the Capitol, Rubio roamed the room, sniffing the reporters and occasionally offering a meow as greeting. The 11-year-old Abyssinian has his claws but chose not to use them on the journalists.

The state's Veterinary Medical Society opposes the legislation, saying the surgical procedure can often save cats with destructive scratching behavior from being euthanized. In a memo of opposition, the society argues that declawing is a decision best left to cat owners and veterinarians and not lawmakers.

"It is the veterinarian's obligation to provide cat owners a complete education with regard to normal scratching behavior of cats, the procedure itself, and potential risks to the patient," the society's memo reads. "Declawing of domestic cats should be considered only after attempts have been made to prevent the cat from using its claws destructively."

The bill is before both the Senate and Assembly, but no vote has been scheduled. Assembly sponsor Linda Rosenthal, a Manhattan Democrat, says support is growing as more cat owners learn the details of the procedure. Unlike clipping nails in a human, or even removing the entire fingernail, declawing a cat involves amputating the first segment of each toe on each paw.

Supporters of the ban say destructive clawing can often be dealt with through nail clipping, nail caps or scratching posts. And the vets lobbying for the legislation on Tuesday said that declawing a cat can often lead to worse behavior problems, including difficulty using a litterbox or biting — something disputed by the veterinary society.

"In most cases declawing is performed as a convenience to the owner," Rosenthal said. "I've heard so many times: 'I have expensive furniture! I have nice drapes!' If your standard is 'I need pristine furniture,' don't get a cat."