Maryland Is Joining New York To Ban The Declawing Of Cats

New York passed legislation in 2019 and became the first state in the United States to ban declawing cats. Maryland is now set to follow.

Declawing cats is a process that removes a feline’s nail bed as well as the nail along with part of the bone.

According to those who support the ban, including the Humane Society, declawing is inhumane because it’s unnecessary and can lead to lasting physical and behavioral issues.

In Maryland, the only way that you will be allowed to legally declaw a cat is if there is a medical condition that makes it necessary for the health and well-being of the feline.

It will be illegal for veterinarians to declaw cats for cosmetic reasons or because it is more convenient for handling.

According to Maryland state delegate Lorig Chakoudin, as was reported in the Washington Post: “When people wrap their head around it, the idea that we would mutilate to protect a furniture item is abhorrent to people.”

If a veterinarian is caught declawing cats, they could be charged $5000 for the first offense and as much as $10,000 for the second. A suspension or revocation of their license may also be on the table.

PETA also weighs in on their website, saying: “Declawing is a violent, invasive, painful, and unnecessary mutilation that involves 10 separate amputations – not just of cats’ nails but of their joints as well. Declawing is both painful and traumatic, and it was been outlawed in Germany and other parts of Europe as a form of cruelty.”

Hopefully other states will follow the example being set by New York and now Maryland!