Canada Still Hasn't Banned The Declawing of Cats

​globalnews.ca/news/5354534/declawing-pets-is-actually-amputating-a-joint-and-should-be-outlawed-experts/

Declawing of cats was once quite commonplace and a procedure most of us unassumingly subjected our cats to in order to "protect" our valuables. Anyone who has ever owned a cat knows that cats scratch, that's kind of their jam. What we long considered a simple and acceptable procedure was far from it, in fact, it's abhorrent. It's embarrassing that we would subject an innocent animal to a procedure that is not only unnecessary, but quite painful, in order to protect our couches or chairs. What's worse? We know now how disgusting the procedure is and Canada has yet to take a stand and ban the practice altogether.

While individual provinces have taken a stand against the procedure, both Ontario & Quebec have yet to enact bans which means cats are still being subjected to the needless procedure. The name "declawing" almost gives off the impression that it's only the claws that are carefully removed when in fact, there is bone that is severed. The procedure causes cats to have to relearn how to walk, jump, and move etc., while navigating their surroundings without their claws. The procedure can also have lasting negative effects and because cats are notorious for hiding pain, they could be enduring this pain without us ever acknowledging it.

When we decide to take on a new furry family member, we should be doing so with the understanding that there will be some accidents along the road. Cats might ruin a chair or pull down some blinds; dogs might peep or poop all over the place or dig up floor boards etc., these are things that we have to accept when we take on a pet. Subjecting our cats to painful and needless procedures because we care so much about our belongings is embarrassing and frankly, you shouldn't adopt an animal if you're not willing to accept the accidents. 

Cats / dogs are no different than toddlers. They will get into trouble. They will destroy some of our prized belongings. These are inevitable facts of owning a furry family member. Can you imagine if we started taking preventative measures on our children? Would it not be horrifying if doctors were recommending procedures for our children that would stop them from climbing, or crying? It would be horrifying to us, much like the procedure of declawing cats should be.

Canada is often behind when it comes to animal welfare. We banned NEW orca captivity in the country, but allowed those already in captivity to suffer for the rest of their miserable lives. We have individual provinces that have stepped up and banned declawing, but our country as a whole has not taken a necessary stand against the practice. The animal welfare movement continues to gain momentum and our country must adapt with these changing views. It's embarrassing that we continue to fall behind other countries when it comes to welfare issues, especially those that couldn't be more obviously wrong. 

It's time for Canada to do the right thing and ban the practice of declawing cats. Even one procedure is one too many when it comes to inflicting needless suffering on cats. Ban declawing and catch up to other countries across the globe that have already made the very obvious and necessary choice to ban this horrendous procedure.

HAPPY VEG