2022: AZ Anti-Declaw HB 2224 passed by Arizona House
A New Start to Change
As of Spring 2022, the Arizona Anti-Declaw bill sponsored by District 24's Representative Shah passed by the Arizona House in a bi-partisan vote. Dr. Shah's Anti-Declaw team worked with member of Republican Arizona House District 23's Representative John Kavanagh and his wife, a veterinarian, to gain support for the bill and spread the word to important organizations and nonprofits associated with the bill. After almost 4 years, Rep. Shah and his team successfully garnered enough Democratic and Republican votes to pass in the AZ House. In 2023, he is confident the bill will pass through the Arizona Senate and be approved by the Arizona Governor to become a law in Arizona!
Declawing
Introduction
Declawing, also known as an onychectomy, is a surgery where one amputates the distal phalanges, or the tips of a feline's paws. This is done to remove the animal's claws. Many use this surgery as a way to control their feline friend, or for the protection of their furniture, but there are serious consequences and effects on the cat's life, as well as yours. Our stance towards this atrocity is that it should be banned in Arizona, as it has in other states. Here, you will find many sources, from those who believe like I do that we should ban this surgery. I have also included the counterargument so that you can understand the entire issue as well. We hope that as you read more about this common procedure, you will join the effort to protect animals' rights in your area too!
Resources- Pro-Ban
Animal Rescue and Care is by no means an easy feat, but through cooperation and community empowerment we believe we can facilitate progress in this area. We are always striving to make a difference, and invite you to learn more and lend your support. Here are some resources, links, and statistics to help you understand the whole story behind this issue.
Resources- Pro-Amputation
Animal abuse is a very common problem in the world today, and we are here to educate on what we as a society can do to care for these coexisting animals better, and how others can help in their own community. Here are some resources, links, and statistics, to help you better understand the opposing side of the issue.
Ways to Help in Your Community
With my mission always in mind, I strive to find new strategies for dealing with this challenge. Animal Shelters is something that I take very seriously, and I am working each and every day to make a positive impact. Attached here is a list of resources you can use to learn about what you can do to make an impact in your community. Contact me to learn more about our commitment to this cause.
Who is For?
The Paw Project, Arizona Humane Society, United States humane Society, Pet MD, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA)
Most animal protection organizations in the United Sates are strongly against Declawing, and would like to see this bill passed in more states throughout the country. An onychectomy is generally seen as an extreme procedure for such a small issue of scratching, and many less risky solutions are found to be effective as well. There are uses of scratching posts throughout one's home, where cats can use their claws, nail trimmings regularly, or nail caps, so cats cannot scratch anything. There is even a new procedure called a tendonectomy, which involves small incisions made behind the claw to snip the tendons that are responsible for a cat being able to properly extend its claw. This would keep the claws intact and avoid harmful repercussions to the animal. there is a reason why most of the rest of the world illegalizes declawing. For more information on the new alternatives and places that have banned declawing, see down below.
Who is Against?
American Veterinary Medical Association, Arizona Veterinary Medical Association
Many big name organizations, are in fact against this anti-declawing bill. The American Veterinary Medical Association, also known as the AVMA, is one of the few who use the argument of this procedure being the last resort, and of need: "Feline onychectomy is a controversial medical procedure fueled by a growing number of critics who view it harmful and unnecessary. Many veterinarians consider the procedure a last-resort to alleviate destructive scratching behavior inherent in cats." Most critics, including me, believe that this procedure is unnecessary and harmful. But the largest problem is regarding the informed public towards declawing. It should be an obligation to tell the owner about al the health risks, and educate them about all the possible alternatives as well. But most veterinarians 'assume' the cat owner knows already what declawing even is, which is problematic due to the idea that declawing isn't an amputation. The AVMA uses arguments such as how this clawing behavior may result in euthanizing your cat, so this procedure could be a life saver. But in reality, very few cases show a 'need' for such a surgery, with the many painful chronic impacts for the cat, which may even resort in more aggressive behavior towards the owner, now with biting instead of clawing. If you look at their website, cited below, you will see that their stance towards declawing hasn't changed since 2003, which is outdated, and doesn't reflect upon today's society. If you would like to know more about why the AVMA will not support a ban, please refer to the videos below.
The Arizona Veterinary Medical Association, also called the AzVMA, works with the AVMA on legislative and federal issues, including declawing. Both of these organizations are for keeping declawing in Arizona, and that needs to change. Together, we can change the views of others, and we can advocate for the feline friends we all know and love the most. For more information on their stance, please reference below.
