An effort to ban the declawing of cats in New York is moving through the New York Legislature. According to the Associated Press, the agriculture committee advanced the measure Tuesday. Supporters hailed the move, but the bill must pass a second committee before going to a vote in the Assembly. Supporters include animal welfare advocates and many veterinarians who say declawing a cat is inhumane since it involves the amputation of a cat’s toes back to the first knuckle. The state’s largest veterinary association has opposed the bill, arguing that the procedure should remain a last resort for felines who won’t stop scratching furniture or humans.
– Michael Baldwin
