TRENTON, NJ – Legislators in the New Jersey Senate are calling for a ban on declawing cats and other animals.
A new bill sponsored by Senators Troy Singleton and Vin Gopal would prohibit surgically declawing cats and other animals.
“Declawing a cat is a cruel practice that more often than not is done for the sake of convenience rather than necessity,” said Senator Singleton (D-Burlington). “Nationwide, cities have enacted laws to prohibit this inhumane procedure, and it is time for New Jersey to put an end to it once and for all.”
The bill, S-1803, would prohibit a person from performing a declawing procedure by any means on a cat or other animal. The procedure could be necessary by a licensed veterinarian if a medical procedure is needed to take place, such as removing a cancerous tumor.
“Declawing is seen by many as a quick fix for unwanted scratching by cats,” said Senator Gopal (D-Monmouth). “However, these invasive procedures are medically unnecessary and can cause lasting physical problems and other consequences.”
Veterinarians who continue to declaw cats in New Jersey could be fined up to $1,000 and spend six months in jail. Customers could be fined as much as $2,000.
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According to Gopal, under the bill, when a licensed veterinarian determines that declawing is necessary for therapeutic purposes, the vet must file a written statement with the Department of Health and provide a copy to the animal’s owner or keeper. A veterinarian who fails to comply would be subject to disciplinary action by the State Board of Veterinary Medical Examiners.