Help make cat declawing illegal in Los Angeles

The next step toward approval is for the motion to be heard in the Public Safety committee. Councilmembers Greig Smith, Tony Cardenas, Jan Perry, Dennis Zine, and Ed Reyes are on that committee. Please, contact the Public Safety committee members and encourage them to support the declaw ban. (Greig Smith will have to recuse himself from voting as his chief of staff is related to the lobbyist opposing the declaw ban).

After the motion passes the Public Safety Committee it will be heard in front of the entire City Council. Please, start contacting your councilmember now and urge them to vote for the declaw ban. Let's make the City of Los Angeles the largest American City to ban the inhumane practice of declawing cats. Click here to learn where to direct your letters, faxes and phone calls. http://www.pawproject.com/html/what.asp

What is cat declawing?: When a cat is "declawed" they actually amputate the last digit of all her toes. This makes climbing nearly impossible and walking painful. Due to pain in their paws cats may stop using their litter box or start biting. A declawed cat is more likely to be dumped and euthanized at the shelter because of these unwanted behaviors. Besides causing cats to suffer this causes animal control costs to increase for the City. More information here http://www.stopdeclaw.com

Why would anyone oppose this ban?: The CVMA (California Veterinary Medical Association) opposes the ban because they want to sell this unnecessary surgery to unsuspecting cat owners who don't realize how inhumane it can be or the devastating behavioral effects. Vets who stopped declawing cats in West Hollywood did not note a drop in income. The City did not note a loss in tax revenue either. Others services can be sold to deal with inappropriate clawing issues in a humane manner.

How you can help: Write a letter, send a fax, email, call or even meet with your councilmember in person. Contact information with sample letter here.
http://www.pawproject.com/html/what.asp