Should Maine Be The Next State to Outlaw Declawing Cats?
I often tell my cat, "You are why we can't have nice things," because he likes to scratch just about everything. The scratching post helps, but not much. He'll often snuggle by muckling onto my leg, claws and all. I love him so I live with it!
When I first decided it was time to get a little furball I knew it was going to be an indoor-only kitty. I live in an area near a busy road on one end and a fairly wooded area on the other. I didn't want to worry. I considered getting a cat already declawed or getting the procedure done before being educated on what declawing actually entails. I was just thinking it was a way to protect my apartment and furniture and nothing more.
According to The Humane Society of the United States, declawing isn't some kitty manicure. The reality is declawing amputates the last bone of each little toe, like cutting off our human fingers at the last knuckle. Risks include improper regrowth, nerve damage, bone spurs, and discomfort similar to a human wearing uncomfortable shoes. It's a potentially dangerous procedure that serves no benefit to the cat.
The state of New York is paving the way for outlawing this procedure becoming the first state to ban declawing. The practice is already illegal in much of Europe and Canada as well as some large cities throughout the country according to Central Maine News.
This could slowly become the norm across the country. Will Maine follow suit? Would you support the ban or do you think declawing should remain an option as decided by the owner?
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