ST. LOUIS Dec. 13, 2019 Alley Cat Allies applauds the Board of Aldermen in St. Louis, Missouri, for overwhelmingly passing a measure to prohibit the declawing of cats in the city.
“I urge St. Louis Mayor Krewson to sign this measure into law immediately,” said Becky Robinson, president and founder of Alley Cat Allies. “Declawing is a cruel, unnecessary procedure that results in incredible pain and suffering for cats. It’s more appropriate to think of it as de-knuckling, because it’s like amputating a person’s finger up to the first knuckle.”
Alley Cat Allies has collaborated with The Paw Project to urge cities and states across the country to ban the declawing of cats.
“St. Louis now may consider itself the most humane city in the Midwest,” said Dr. Jennifer Conrad, DVM, a veterinarian and the founder and director of The Paw Project. “I appreciate the leadership from Alderwoman Christine Ingrassia on this legislation. She is a true champion for animals.”
“Cats need to keep their claws on their feet for grooming and behavioral reasons,” Robinson added. “Losing their claws can lead to physical and psychological harm that can even lead to them losing their homes. Nothing good comes from the procedure and we’re thrilled for the cats in St. Louis that the city is taking this step.”
St. Louis would join a number of cities in the U.S. that have previously banned declawing procedures. New York became the first state to ban declawing when its governor signed its new law in July.