Should cats be allowed to keep their claws? We think so, do you?

We urgently need your help in opposing a bill proposed by the Oregon State Legislature. Please read below for more information and share this petition.

Oregon HB 3494, which WOULD HAVE, as originally introduced, prohibited landlords from requiring declawing or devocalization as a condition of tenancy. The CURRENT, RADICALLY AMENDED version of the bill is a bogus “ban” on declawing that would do nothing to stop declawing or protect animals and would actually legitimize the unnecessary practice of declawing.

The Paw Project has sponsored the only successful legislation in North America that prohibits declawing. They have worked to end declawing for over 15 years. Declawing is illegal in many countries of the world or is considered unethical by professional veterinary organizations in other countries.

The current bill now contains two objectionable provisions:

1. Declawing is allowed as a “last resort.”

We disagree that declawing saves lives. There is much credible and compelling evidence that declawing can cause behavioral problems (e.g., aggression and litter box avoidance), which are more likely to land a cat in the shelter (where it is likely to die) than would unwanted scratching (which can usually be prevented by one of a number of humane alternatives). We believe that the net effect of declawing is that declawed cats are MORE likely to lose their homes that would non-declawed cats. Declawing has been illegal in eight California cities, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, for over 5 years and has not resulted in an increase in the relinquishment of cats for unwanted scratching.

2. Declawing is allowed to “protect human health”

We do not believe that there is any evidence that declawing is significantly effective in protecting human health. Declawed cats are reported to be more likely to bite and therefore may constitute a GREATER health risk to people, particularly those who are immunocompromised. The CDC, NIH, the Infectious Diseases Society of America, and US Public Health Services have published statements that declawing of cats “is not recommended” to prevent the transmission of disease from animals to the most immunocompromised of people, those infected with HIV. Several days ago, the Canadian Medical Association Journal also published an article, stating that declawing of cats should not be done to protect human health.

THESE ARE EXCEPTIONS THAT WILL SWALLOW THE RULE.

This amended version of the bill will not protect cats and will not further efforts to end declawing, a practice considered by most to the world (and officially by HSUS, as well) as inhumane and unnecessary. It is more likely to have the opposite effect. It WILL perpetuate the status quo and it WILL likely be used as a model for other bills in other states. Since the vote is on April 30, we must attempt to stop this bill. Will you please help us?

Want to know more about declawing and The Paw Project? Click here!