Exciting news came out of the Massachusetts Senate where a bill to ban the declawing of cats passed the Senate unanimously. 

Following states Maryland and New York, Massachusetts could be the third state in the country to ban this controversial practice if the bill progresses. Declawing cats, often done by owners in the hope of warding off aggression or scratching, is a controversial procedure. According to many animal rights activists, declawing is considered equivalent to amputating the tips of a human’s fingers. 

Cassie O’Connell, our shelter’s Co-Director, describes the detrimental effects that declawing can have:

“For a long time, declawing was considered an easy fix for some of the least desirable aspects of having a cat as a pet. The procedure is not only cruel and inhumane, but it also leads to a whole new set of undesirable behaviors. Taking away a cat’s primary defense mechanism and ability to express themselves doesn’t take away their natural instincts. Cats who have been declawed are far more likely to socially regress and develop other aggressive behavior or inappropriate litter box habits. They are eternally frustrated and often endure life-long chronic pain.

Ending the practice of feline declawing is not only beneficial for individual cats, but it can also help reduce the strain on the animal shelter and rescue system. As Cassie explains:

“Declawed cats with these symptoms are often surrendered to shelters for behavioral reasons, and as such, banning the declawing of cats will also reduce the number of owner-relinquished cats.”

So what can you do if your cat is scratching your belongings? Remember that scratching is a natural instinct for cats, and as caretakers we must give them species-appropriate outlets. At The Cat Connection, we recommend that owners provide ample enrichment activities like scratching posts, cat trees, or other surfaces that they can scratch. It’s also important to regularly clip your cat’s nails. 

The bill does allow declawing in cases where it is deemed a medical necessity, but specifies that behavioral issues do not qualify. The bill defines this exception as follows:

“‘Therapeutic purpose’ means for the purpose of addressing an existing or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claw that jeopardizes the cat’s health, where addressing the infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition is a medical necessity. Therapeutic purpose shall not include the cat’s behavioral characteristics.” 

The Cat Connection celebrates this win in the Senate and hopes for progression of the bill and similar movements in other states. At TCC, we are staunchly against declawing and believe that responsible owners and caretakers must respect cats’ natural inclinations and provide appropriate feline-specific enrichment in their homes. 

Although we never declaw cats, some cats in our care occasionally arrive already declawed. Take Mushroom for example, who came to us as a surrender:

Sweet 10-year-old Mushroom was growing increasingly distressed in her previous living situation. Prior to her surrender, Mushroom had unfortunately been declawed, and this might have contributed to her feeling even more defenseless in a new stressful environment. She had also developed hyperthyroidism. 

Luckily, we found Mushroom’s perfect forever home. When her adopters met her, it was love at first sight! They knew she was the perfect kitty for them, and Mushroom sensed it as well. She greeted her soon-to-be adopters with loving head butts.

Several months later, Mushroom is firmly ensconced as queen of the castle, enjoying her best life. Her hyperthyroidism is completely under control with medication. Her adopters are thrilled, calling themselves “one big snuggly, happy fam.”

Despite Mushroom’s unfortunate declawing situation, we gave her the best possible life with her new forever parents. We hope that with more anti-declawing legislation, we can prevent other cats like Mushroom from going through this painful and difficult process. 

Although Mushroom has been adopted, you can see many more cats on our website! Go to https://thecatconnection.org/adopt/available-cats/ and find your perfect new family member!