This alert is no longer active, but here for reference.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

Let's call “declawing” what it is: multiple mutilating amputations. Thanks to HB 22, Maryland has the chance to prohibit this painful and unnecessary surgery. This bill has already passed in the Senate. Please contact your state delegates to voice your support for HB 22. Your voice can make a difference for Maryland's cats!

“Declawing” is a euphemism for a surgery that in human medicine is more accurately called “fingertip amputation.” Possible complications include hemorrhage, infection, nerve damage, retained bone fragments, and necrosis (tissue death). A human would only undergo this surgery as a last resort if they had suffered a severe crush injury. It would be unthinkable for surgeons to amputate the last bone of every finger of a human patient's uninjured hands! Not only would they lose their licenses to practice medicine, but they would also face criminal charges. Please contact your state delegates to save cats in Maryland from being subjected to this horrific procedure!

“Declawed” cats may suffer lifelong lameness and back pain from the unnatural way their mutilated paws meet the ground. In addition, immediately following the surgery, cats can suffer acute pain while engaging in normal activities. For example, cats who suddenly experience pain when they scratch in their litter box can develop an aversion to using it; sadly, inappropriate elimination is one of the most common reasons for cat surrender or abandonment.

Cats scratch to stretch and exercise their front legs, remove old sheaths from their claws, and scent mark objects (and humans!) that are important to them. Cats also use their claws for climbing and self-defense, to manipulate and play with toys, and some use their claws for kneading, a relaxing and self-soothing behavior many cats exhibit when they are content. “Declawing” negatively impacts cats' quality of life by denying or restricting their ability to engage in these natural behaviors. Effective and humane alternatives include nail trims, nail caps, applying tapes or sprays that make surfaces less pleasant for cats to scratch, and providing different scratching posts and boards.

Cats should not be subjected to cruel surgical procedures for the sake of protecting furniture or household items. Please act now to pass HB 22 and ban declawing cats in Maryland!

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference.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