Cat declawing is illegal in many countries in Europe, including the UK, as well as other countries like Brazil, Israel and New Zealand. However, in many parts of the world, the procedure of cutting off a segment of the bone attached to a cat’s paw is still widely prevalent.

In Ontario, Canada there has been widespread support to pass a provincial bill – known as Teddy’s Law, which was introduced by Davenport MPP Marit Stiles. Stile’s goal is to put an end to the inhumane practice of declawing cats in Ontario, a practice that can cause a lifetime of pain, discomfort and lasting behavioral changes for cats. In Canada, there are currently four other provinces – Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and British Columbia with cat declawing bans in place.

The passing of Teddy’s Law would update provincial animal welfare legislation to ban the practice of declawing cats, unless a veterinarian deems it a necessary medical procedure.

While there has been long debate on whether declawing ethical or not, many experts have suggested that declawed cats are more prone to have health problems, such as back pain, or behavioural problems like aggression. Declawing is without a doubt highly damaging to the cat both physically and psychologically.

One of the many reasons why pet owners want to declaw their cats is to prevent them from scratching the furniture. Both the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society have worked strenuously to educate the public that scratching is a normal behaviour in cats and can be properly managed to help prevent damage to furniture.

Magdalena Smrdelj, Chief Veterinary Officer with the Ontario SPCA and Humane Society and a Fellow of the Oxford Centre for Animal Ethics commented that:-

“Declawing is a mutilating and painful procedure that can never be justified as a treatment in response to a cat’s normal behaviour…Declawing should be limited to situations where a veterinarian deems it medically necessary for the health of the animal.”

Dr. Gitte Fenger, Veterinarian, co-founder of The Paw Project and owner of the bill's namesake, Teddy stated that:-

“For many years, The Paw Project has been working with the public, policy makers and veterinarians to educate about the painful and crippling effects of feline declawing, to promote animal welfare and to end declaw surgery in jurisdictions around the world. This legislation will bring Ontario in line with other provinces as leaders in animal welfare. It’s about time we got this done. Teddy would be proud.”

Dr. Michelle Groleau, Canadian Veterinary Medical Association, Animal Welfare Committee said:- 

 "The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association views non-therapeutic PDA (declaws) as ethically unacceptable, as the surgery has the potential to cause unnecessary and avoidable pain."

In Hong Kong, the practice of declawing is not banned. However, this option should not be exercised unless absolutely necessary for the cat.

To be a voice for animals and speak up against declawing, sign the petition here to make your voice heard.

Courtesy of Arial Ng.