This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Updated 9/25/2025 to correct the bill number from A 545 to A 1180.

New Jersey could soon take a major step to protect cats from the painful practice of declawing with legislation that would make it illegal statewide. The bill (A 1180), recently introduced in the New Jersey Assembly, would prohibit declawing unless it's medically necessary to treat an underlying condition that would improve a cat's health. Urge your Assembly members to support this essential legislation to end this cruel and unnecessary surgery!

Declawing is not a simple nail trim — it's a serious surgical procedure called onychectomy, which removes the last bone of each toe along with associated nerves and tendons. Imagine losing the last joint of each fingertip while being expected to walk normally. That's what cats endure when they are declawed.

Although some still perform this procedure for human convenience, scratching is a natural behavior that cats must be able to express. Preventing it can lead to litter box avoidance, defensive biting, and stress-related behaviors — often resulting in cats being surrendered to shelters.

Many declawed cats suffer lifelong complications, including infection, arthritis, chronic paw pain, and back problems caused by altered posture and weight distribution. Botched surgeries that leave bone fragments behind make matters worse.

The states of New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia have already banned declawing unless medically necessary, while California is considering a ban. Additionally, several New Jersey municipalities have already recognized the cruelty of declawing and banned it locally, including Montclair, Maplewood, South Orange, Jersey City, Teaneck, Tenafly, Edgewater, and Clifton. These communities are leading the way, and it's time for the entire state to follow their example by passing A 1180.

Letter to Decision Maker(s) for reference:

Decision makers: New Jersey Assembly

Subject: Please Support A 545 to Ban Declawing Cats in New Jersey

I am writing as a constituent deeply concerned about the welfare of cats in New Jersey. I urge you to support A 1180, legislation that would make declawing cats illegal statewide, except when medically necessary to treat an underlying condition.

Declawing, or onychectomy, is a serious surgical procedure that removes the last bone of each toe, along with severing nerves and tendons. This is akin to amputating the last joint of a human fingertip. The procedure often causes chronic pain, arthritis, and altered posture, and it can lead to behavioral issues such as litter box avoidance and defensive biting, increasing the likelihood that cats will be surrendered to shelters.

The states of New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and the District of Columbia have already banned declawing unless medically necessary, while California is considering a ban. Additionally, several New Jersey municipalities have already recognized the cruelty of declawing and banned it locally, including Montclair, Maplewood, South Orange, Jersey City, Teaneck, Tenafly, Edgewater, and Clifton. These communities are leading the way, and it’s time for the entire state to follow their example.

There are humane alternatives, such as nail caps, that allow cats to express natural scratching behaviors without harm. The passage of A 1180 would protect cats across New Jersey from this painful and unnecessary surgery.

Please take action to support A 1180 and help end declawing statewide. Cats in New Jersey deserve to live free from preventable pain and suffering.

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Signed

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.