Declawing is a painful, invasive surgery that amputates the last bone of each toe. That’s like cutting off a human finger at the last knuckle. And yet in Illinois, this is still legal and commonly performed for convenience—not for medical reasons.

Illinois prides itself on humane animal laws, but we’re falling behind. States like New York, Maryland, and Massachusetts have already banned elective declawing. Illinois should be leading on animal welfare—not trailing behind.

Veterinary professionals across the country agree: declawing can cause long-term harm. The American Association of Feline Practitioners strongly opposes elective declawing, citing risks like chronic pain, infection, behavioral problems, and lameness. Declawed cats are more likely to bite or stop using the litterbox—two of the top reasons cats are surrendered to shelters.

There is no credible medical or public health reason to declaw a healthy cat. Even the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention advises against it, instead recommending simple alternatives like regular nail trims and avoiding rough play.

So why is declawing still happening? In many cases, it's because veterinarians profit from the procedure. But protecting cats from lifelong suffering should matter more than protecting profits.

There are safe, humane, and affordable alternatives to declawing—like scratching posts, soft nail caps, deterrent sprays, and behavioral training. Cats need their claws for stretching, marking territory, climbing, and defending themselves.

We, the undersigned, call on the Illinois General Assembly to pass a statewide ban on elective cat declawing, with an exemption for cases where it is medically necessary to treat illness or injury.

Illinois has an opportunity to lead with compassion and science. Let’s protect our cats from unnecessary pain—and show the rest of the country that animal welfare matters here.

Sign now to demand that Illinois ban non-medical cat declawing.