Mutilating animals for aesthetics or human convenience is considered “NORMAL” in the United States. But “normal” does not mean moral. This cruelty is bad for our animals, our country, and our planet.

Each year…

• 1.6 million cats have the ends of their toes removed (declawing).
• 750,000 dogs have their tails amputated (docking) and 200,000 of those also have their ears cut off (cropping).
• Thousands of horses have their tails docked. [ow1]
• Countless others have their tendons cut, vocal cords damaged, are subjected to cosmetic tattooing and/or piercing, and more.

…all for aesthetics or convenience.

This needless cruelty creates tons of raw bio-waste — each year — and robs animals of essential functions.

These medically-unnecessary practices are perpetuated by a broken system of long-held norms. Norms that are driven by competition standards dating back hundreds of years or the binary assumption that, if certain animals were not subjected to these tortures, they would be euthanized.

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AMVA), American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA), American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine (ACVIM), scores of other organizations and millions of Americans, oppose medically-unnecessary procedures conducted on animals.

In 1992—more than 25 years ago—the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals came into force. Normalized animal cruelty bans are broadly observed around the world, including many countries, such as England and Germany, where these practices originated.

The only U.S. statewide ban on any of these practices went into effect in New York State to end declawing on July 22, 2019. Yes, 2019! Right now, citizens of many U.S. states can legally perform many of these procedures themselves…without a vet or anesthesia…in their own back yards—and some do.

Although New York banned one practice, normalized animal cruelty is not a states’ rights issue. Breeders, veterinarians, and animal contestants compete across state lines. A single state cannot ban these practices without putting their relevant populations at a competitive and commercial disadvantage.

The United States is shamefully behind the times and we are better than that! Cancer, terrorism and climate change have painfully long horizons. Ending normalized animal cruelty can become your legacy with the stroke of a pen.

It’s time for a new normal—and you can make it happen!

For more information, visit the National Opposition to Normalized Animal Cruelty website at NONAC.org.