New Jersey Residents: Help Stop Declawing

ActionItem_2016_NJ_DeclawBan.jpgThis action is ONLY for residents of New Jersey

Update: 8/2/2019

Thank you to everyone who has taken action on this bill! If you haven’t already, please ask your legislator to support a declaw ban in New Jersey!

Original Message

The New Jersey Senate Committee on Budget and Appropriations is considering an important bill to ban the declawing of cats statewide. Please ask the committee to hold a hearing on the bill, Senate Bill 1209, 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 hold a hearing on and support SB 1209 to end declawing throughout New Jersey.

Recipients

  • Targeted recipients based on your address

Message

Please Hold a Hearing on Senate Bill 1209 to End the Declawing of Cats

Dear [Decision Maker],

As a resident of New Jersey, I am writing to urge you to protect the health and wellbeing of cats throughout our state by holding a hearing on and supporting Senate Bill 1209. If enacted into law, SB 1209 would prohibit declawing, a painful procedure that involves the surgical amputation of the last joints of an animal's toes.

Cats rely on their paws, including their nails, or claws, for behavioral and grooming needs. Their claws help them to protect and defend themselves, and scratching removes dead nail sheaths and stretches and strengthens their muscles. Declawing cats to address unwanted scratching behavior can cause trauma, chronic pain, and lifelong damage.



I want our state to exhibit the compassion and values that other countries, U.S. cities, and Canadian provinces have shown by prohibiting declaw surgery. I ask you to support SB 1209 to keep cats' claws on their paws.

Sincerely,
[Your Name]
[Your Address]
[City, State ZIP]
[Your Email]

Contact

*Required fields