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This action is ONLY for residents of New York
Update: 7/27/2019
Alley Cat Allies congratulates New York for becoming the first state to ban the declawing of cats. Today Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill from the New York legislature that prohibits the surgical procedure. The ban takes effect immediately. Thank you so much for your support in helping pass this bill!
Update: 6/3/2019
Great news! AB 1303 was successfully reported out of the Codes Committee and is headed to the Assembly floor. We will keep you updated on more opportunities to take action as the bill moves forward!
Update: 5/28/2019
The bill has moved forward thanks to you! Assembly Bill 1303 to ban declawing successfully passed in the New York Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture. Now, the bill will be heard by the Assembly Committee on Codes in a hearing on Wednesday, May 30.
If you can, please attend the hearing in person and support the bill. If you can’t make it, please take action again below and tell your Assembly member that you support AB 1303.
Attend the hearing:
| WHEN: | May 30, 2019 at 10:00 a.m. EST |
|---|---|
| WHERE: | Assembly Standing Committee on Codes Legislative Office Building, Room 630 198 State St Albany, NY 12210 Get Directions |
Update 5/6/2019:
Great news! The Senate has introduced a companion declawing ban bill: Senate Bill 5532. It is currently in the Senate Committee on Domestic Animal Welfare. Even if you've already written to your Assemblymember, please let your Senator know you support outlawing declawing!
Update 4/30/2019:
New York's bill to outlaw declawing passed the Assembly Committee on Agriculture today. Now, the bill will go to the Assembly Committee on Codes for approval. We're one step closer to ending declaw surgery for cats throughout New York. Please continue speaking out in support of A1303 below.
Original Message:
The New York Assembly Standing Committee on Agriculture is considering an important bill to ban the declawing of cats statewide. Please ask your legislator to support, Assembly Bill 1303, which would prohibit declaw surgery throughout the state.
Declaw surgery is far from a nail trim; it is the surgical amputation of the last joints of a cat’s toes. Declawing is traumatic to cats and can cause permanent damage and chronic pain. Without their claws, cats can have trouble walking and balancing. Discomfort in their feet may cause them to avoid using the litter box. Also, because they may feel unsafe without their natural protection, declawed cats are more likely to bite. These are some of the most common reasons that owners relinquish their cats to animal shelters,where most cats are killed.
Declawing is often done to address unwanted scratching behavior. However, many humane and affordable alternatives are widely available such as scratching posts, vinyl nail covers, and deterrent spray
Ask your legislators to support AB 1303 and end declawing throughout New York.