The City Of Evanston, Illinois, Takes Major Step To Ban Cruel Cat Declawing

This week, the Evanston City Council in Illinois took a crucial and much-needed step toward improving animal welfare by passing an ordinance that prohibits the declawing of cats. This decision is a significant victory, as it acknowledges the inherent cruelty of the procedure and aims to protect cats from unnecessary harm.

“We are grateful to the Evanston City Council for prohibiting cruel cat declaw surgery, which causes chronic injury and pain,” said Animal Legal Defense Fund Strategic Legislative Affairs Manager, Alicia Prygoski. “Cats need their claws to carry out many different natural behaviors and their health should not be jeopardized for the convenience of their owners.” 

Declawing is a cruel and inhumane procedure that goes far beyond a simple nail trim. It involves the amputation of the last bone in a cat’s toe, which is similar to cutting off the last joint of a human finger. This painful and unnecessary surgery can have long-lasting, debilitating effects on a cat’s physical and emotional well-being.

Declawing is not just about removing claws — it’s an invasive procedure that causes severe, often lifelong damage. Cats rely on their claws for balance, climbing, stretching, scratching, and defending themselves. The loss of these vital tools can lead to permanent disability, nerve damage, chronic pain, and even lameness. Cats that undergo declawing often suffer from behavioral changes as well. Deprived of the ability to scratch and mark territory, declawed cats may engage in destructive behaviors such as inappropriate marking or litterbox avoidance. Some may even begin to bite as a defensive mechanism, leading to an increased risk of infection in humans.

These behavioral and physical consequences make declawed cats more likely to be surrendered to shelters, contributing to the growing number of homeless pets. Fortunately, there are humane alternatives to declawing, such as regular nail trims, providing scratching posts, and behavioral training, that can address scratching behavior without causing harm to the animal.

A recent poll from the Animal Legal Defense Fund, conducted in June 2024, revealed that 70% of veterinary professionals oppose declawing, with half of those surveyed reporting that their practices do not perform the procedure. This growing consensus among experts underscores the need for a nationwide ban on declawing.

Currently, states such as New York, Maryland, and Washington, D.C., along with several municipalities, have already implemented bans on declawing, with limited exceptions for medical necessity. Virginia has also passed legislation with strict limitations on the procedure. These bans reflect a growing understanding of the cruelty involved in declawing and the urgent need for stronger protections for cats.

Declawing is not just a matter of personal preference; it is a form of animal cruelty that causes lasting harm. It is time for lawmakers to recognize the suffering of millions of cats and take action to protect them. A nationwide ban on declawing is long overdue, and it’s crucial that other states follow the lead of Evanston and other progressive municipalities to end this barbaric practice once and for all.