As a cat owner who adopted Baby Cappuccino, a kitten found in front of an animal shelter I was heartbroken to discover she had been ear-tipped despite being accepted into the shelter for adoption. She was not a feral cat, yet she will forever bear this mark. Ear-tipping is typically used to identify feral stray cats, but it seems that many shelters working with trap and release programs continue to use this procedure indiscriminately.

Ear-tipping involves removing a small portion of the cat's ear to indicate that they have been spayed or neutered and vaccinated. This practice is outdated, unregulated, and unnecessary for domesticated cats in shelters waiting for adoption. This procedure can cause unnecessary distress and confusion for both cats and their adopters.

It also raises ethical concerns about subjecting domesticated animals to procedures without proper assessment and regulation. It's time we move towards more humane alternatives like placing this information onto microchips.

Microchips are tiny devices the size of a grain of rice implanted under the skin that provide permanent identification for our pets (American Veterinary Medical Association). They are safe, and efficient and do not cause any physical alteration or discomfort to our beloved pets after implantation. Currently, microchip companies only place contact details like name, address, and phone number onto a microchip database. However, they can include spayed or neutered and vaccination information too!

We need your help to end this cruel practice in animal shelters and trap and release programs across the country. By signing this petition, you're advocating for change and promoting better treatment of all cats - whether they're destined to be someone's pet or live out their lives in nature as feral animals. We believe that every cat deserves respect and humane treatment regardless of its origin or circumstances.

Let us strive together towards more humane practices in identifying our pets without causing them unnecessary harm or discomfort. This petition will be used to enact new laws banning the use of this outdated procedure. There are no laws on ear-tipping, but rather small local ordinances that give way to bad practices of cutting too much ear off, and complications like infections. We need to use a better solution like microchips that do not require the removal of part of a healthy ear.

Send a powerful message to animal welfare organizations, trap and release programs, and politicians to help modernize the welfare of cats.  Take action and share on social media. Tell family and friends so we can stop this outdated practice now! Please join us in urging animal shelters nationwide to stop indiscriminate ear-tipping practices by signing this petition today!