NewsProvincial
Declawing Is Now Illegal in Saskatchewan
The Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association has added a new bylaw which states: No member shall perform elective and non-therapeutic partial digit amputation of any felid including domestic cats.
What is declawing?
- Declawing is a serious surgery where a cat’s toe bones and claws are amputated.
- Despite its name, declawing isn’t just the removal of a cat’s claws. If the same procedure was performed on a human, his finger would be amputated at the last knuckle.
- Many cat owners are unaware of the risks of declawing and the pain that cats suffer.
- Governments have an obligation to protect consumers and animal welfare by making declawing illegal except when medically necessary.
What are the long-term physical and behavioral impacts of declawing?
- Chronic pain, lameness, bone spurs, necrosis, and nerve damage
- Aversion to using the litterbox (due to the cat’s pain in their paws)
- Increased biting (in compensation for the loss of claws)
Does declawing keep cats out of shelters?
- No. There are no studies finding that declawing keeps cats out of shelters.
- Furthermore, it’s common for cats to be surrendered due to the behavioral problems caused by declawing.
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