Nadler Introduces Resolution Opposing Elective Cat Declawing

Today, Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) introduced a resolution opposing elective cat declawing, reflecting the growing consensus among veterinarians, public health experts, and animal welfare advocates that the practice is inhumane and unnecessary.

Declawing is an invasive procedure where the last bone of each toe is amputated, equivalent to cutting off a human finger at the last knuckle. Surgery is typically performed for the owner's convenience rather than medical necessity. Research shows that declawing causes lifelong physical and behavioral problems, including chronic pain, mobility issues, and increased aggression.

New York was the first state to ban elective cat declawing, with a bill spearheaded by Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan).

"Elective declawing is a cruel and outdated practice that offers no medical benefit to cats and instead causes lasting harm," said Congressman Nadler. "Congress has both the opportunity and the responsibility to voice its opposition to this unnecessary procedure and to support humane, evidence-based alternatives. As the first state to ban elective declawing, New York led the way, and this resolution urges the rest of the country to follow suit."

"Paws up to Congressman Nadler for shining a federal spotlight on the grossly inhumane and unnecessary practice of cat declawing," said New York State Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal, Sponsor of first-in-the-nation legislation banning cat declawing in New York. "Safeguarding furniture should never come at the expense of our furry family members' health. I gladly teamed up with the Paw Project to prohibit this abusive practice, and now almost six years later, states across the country are replicating New York's success."

"Cat declawing is a serious surgical procedure that comes with risks to the animal's wellbeing and should never be performed for the sake of convenience as a way to prevent cats from expressing their natural behaviors" said Allison Ludtke, Legislative Affairs Manager at the Animal Legal Defense Fund. "This resolution builds on the momentum of states and municipalities across the country that have already banned the procedure. ALDF will continue to advocate for similar laws to protect cats from unnecessary harm, and applauds Congressman Nadler for his commitment to animal welfare and the protection of pets nationwide."

"The US Congress Resolution to condemn the declawing of cats, introduced by Congressman Jerry Nadler, is an important step in the crusade to protect American cats from a lifetime of pain and suffering caused by declawing, which is actually an amputation of their toe bones. The Paw Project is extremely grateful for this help in our efforts to stop this inhumane surgery," said Dr. Jennifer Conrad, veterinarian and Director of the Paw Project.

"Declawing a cat is no different from amputating a human's fingers at the knuckle, and PETA and the cats we rescue thank Rep. Nadler for helping cats hang on to the claws they need as much as fish need their fins," said Dan Paden, Vice President of Legal Advocacy at PETA.

"Elective declawing is a painful and unnecessary procedure that permanently harms cats," said Allie Taylor, President at Voters For Animal Rights (VFAR). "Voters For Animal Rights applauds Congressman Nadler for introducing this resolution and helping advance a national standard of humane, evidence-based animal care - building on progress already made in states like New York."

The resolution highlights concerns raised by veterinary and public health experts, including Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance discouraging declawing, as well as opposition from organizations such as the American Association of Feline Practitioners and the American Animal Hospital Association.

The measure also acknowledges the growing number of jurisdictions acting on this issue: in addition to New York, states including California, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Virginia, and the District of Columbia have enacted bans, while several others have pending legislation.

The resolution is cosponsored by André Carson (IN-07), Emanuel Cleaver (MO-05), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Maxine Dexter (OR-03), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Hank Johnson (GA-04), Raja Krishnamoorthi (IL-08), Ted Lieu (CA-36), Zoe Lofgren (CA-18), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Luz Rivas (CA-29), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Darren Soto (FL-09), Dina Titus (NV-01), Rashida Tlaib (MI-12), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07).

It is endorsed by the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Animal Protection League of New Jersey, Animal Rescue League of Boston, Animal Welfare Institute, Associated Humane Societies, Best Friends Animal Society, DC Voters for Animals, Humane World for Animals, Humane World Action Fund, Missouri Alliance For Animal Legislation, MSPCA-Angell, North Shore Animal League America, Paw Project, PETA, Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), and Voters for Animal Rights.

The bill text can be found here.

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