https://www.alleycat.org/alley-cat-allies-urges-ban-on-declawing-cats-in-district-of-columbia/
https://siouxempiretnr.org/declawing-cats/
https://www.peta.org/living/animal-companions/8-reasons-never-declaw-cats/
https://catsinternational.org/the-truth-about-declawing/
https://lbpost.com/hi-lo/pets/cat-or-couch-reaching-a-compromise-with-claws/
“At least 42 countries have made declawing illegal, including England, France, Wales, New Zealand, Germany, Switzerland, and Israel. In Canada, declawing is outlawed in nearly all providences.
In the United States, declawing is outlawed in many cities including Austin, Texas; Denver, Colorado; the City of St. Louis and St. Louis County, Missouri; Pittsburgh and Allentown, Pennsylvania; and Madison, Wisconsin. It is also outlawed in 8 California cities: West Hollywood, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Berkeley, Beverly Hills, Culver City, Santa Monica, and Burbank.
In 2019, New York became the first state in the United States to outlaw declawing. Maryland became the second in 2022. A declawing ban in the United States capital, Washington, D.C., went into effect in 2023. Virginia and Massachusetts have also banned declawing statewide. In September of 2025, Rhode Island officially enacted its declaw ban, and California passed a statewide declaw ban in October of 2025.”
*Declawing is NOT a Harmless Grooming Procedure – it is Permanent and it involves Inhumane and Extremely Painful Amputation of the last bone of a cat’s toe, similar to severing a human finger at the final joint. This Invasive Surgery often causes Lasting Pain, Arthritis, Infections and Inflammations, plus Behavioral Problems, frequently leading to Abandonment and Euthanasia.
**Declawing by ANY Method leaves the cat Walking on Unprotected, Uncushioned Bone On Each Toe! The Bone into which each Claw is Embedded contains Claw Cells and Has to be Amputated or the Claws will Regrow Painfully Crooked. Each Toe Ends in a Stump of Bone which the cat has to Walk On Until They Die.
On April 2023, the Animal Care and Control Omnibus Amendment Act was successfully passed in the District of Columbia, marking a significant victory for animal welfare. The bill, which was approved unanimously by the D.C. Council, includes several key provisions aimed at strengthening protections for pets and preventing animal cruelty.
Among its most notable measures is a ban on cat declawing, a procedure that has been compared to amputation due to its severe and lasting effects on cats' health and behavior.
The law also criminalizes bestiality, closes gaps in the regulation of dogfighting equipment, and provides much needed support for animal control agencies.
The legislation also introduces reforms to improve the treatment of pets during criminal proceedings.
Animal control vehicles are now authorized to use emergency lights and sirens when responding to urgent calls, while pet stores are required to sell only animals from rescue organizations to combat cruel breeding practices.
Additionally, the bill extends protections for pets in divorce proceedings, allowing courts to consider the welfare of the animal and grant joint custody, acknowledging pets as beloved family members rather than mere property.
Penalties for violating these new laws range from fines to prison sentences of up to two years, depending on the offense. The passage of this historic legislation reflects the District’s commitment to a compassionate, progressive approach to animal welfare, ensuring that animals are treated with respect and that their well being is prioritized across various aspects of society, marking a major step forward in animal rights.
*At Whiskers, Paws and Love®, we are thrilled to see Washington, D.C., pass this groundbreaking bill, marking a significant step in protecting animals from cruelty and ensuring their well being.
The ban on declawing and the new protections for pets are a powerful reminder that animals are family, deserving of compassion and respect. We are especially moved by the recognition that pets should be considered in divorce proceedings, reinforcing their importance in our lives.
This victory fills us with hope and motivates us to continue advocating for positive change, with the hope that more regions will follow D.C.'s lead in fostering a more humane world for animals.
*Every paw deserves to walk without pain, and every cat deserves to be treated with kindness and respect.
