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California: Urge your state senator to prohibit elective cat declawing

UPDATE: AB 867 passed the California State Assembly unanimously and is now before the Senate. That’s why it is critical that your state senator knows that you support legislation to ban elective cat declawing in California.

“Declawing” includes a lot more than the loss of a cat’s nails. It involves the partial amputation, by scalpel or by laser, of a cat’s toes, including each claw and the bones in which they are embedded. Studies show that one in five cats who are declawed experience long-term complications from declaw surgery that include limping, lameness and chronic joint and back pain. 50% of cats suffer complications immediately following surgery, and one in three cats who are declawed develop behavioral problems, such as biting, inappropriate elimination and aggression. Immunocompromised individuals and children are therefore at greater risk of being bitten if they live in a household with a declawed cat.

Scratching is a natural feline behavior. Cats scratch to mark their territories, exercise and shed the husks of dead claws, but not intentionally to destroy property. Regular nail trimming, cat trees and scratching posts are highly effective, affordable alternatives that are pain-free and humane.

TAKE ACTION

Please take a moment to contact your California state senator today and urge them to vote “YES” on AB 867 to prohibit elective declaw surgery for cats in our state, using the form below.

This action alert is for U.S. residents.

Your Message

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Dear Senator,  

As a constituent, I am writing to urge you to vote “YES” on AB 867 to prohibit elective cat declawing in California. Declawing is elective amputation of a cat's toes, not just removing the claw. Declawing is painful, often for life. Some cats never fully recover and experience nerve damage, phantom pain, pain from retained bone fragments, infection or tissue necrosis. 

Half of the cats who undergo this procedure suffer complications immediately following surgery, and one in three cats who are declawed develop behavioral problems, such as biting, inappropriate elimination and aggression. Alternatives to declawing, such as regular nail trims and appropriate scratching posts, are easily accessible.  

The veterinary profession is increasingly opposed to declawing, but it is still too commonly practiced with an estimated 20% of cats in the U.S. having been declawed. California is home to 10% of cats in the U.S. and passage of the bill will protect more cats from being inhumanely declawed.  

California now has an opportunity to become the fifth state to ban the cruel and unnecessary practice of cat declawing. AB 867 authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, has already passed the State Assembly (unanimously!). We hope to have your vote for AB 867 in the upcoming weeks. 2025 is the year to ban declawing in our state!

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