ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) – There’s an argument on declawing when it concerns your household cats. Is it worth safeguarding your furnishings and your skin to reject furry felines a method to protect themselves?
Some vets alert that an expense provided by state agents can put the life of a cat in jeopardy.
“This bill does really put cats at risk for abandonment or euthanasia and we would really like to see some modifications so we can have a discretionary clause that if we do find it necessary, we can pursue this avenue,” said Illinois State Veterinarian Medical Association president Joanne Carlson.
If passed, House Bill 1533 makes it a fineable offense of approximately $2,500 to change a cat’s claws under any scenario.
“The main reason why we are opposing it is does not give us any discretionary options as far as a very special unique situation,” Carlson said.
Doctor Carlson says normally the choice is an outright last hope; nevertheless, Amber Pinnon of the Winnebago County Animal Services says she is for the restriction since of the effect the declawing surgical treatment has on the future of a cat’s health.
“We see a lot of issues that happens because of that, whether that’s arthritis later,” Pinnon said. “We see cats having litter box issues sometimes or resorting to biting.”
Pinnon says a cat’s claws aren’t a bad thing and shouldn’t be eliminated from them.
“We don’t stop dogs from barking even though it’s annoying and take away their ability to bark,” Pinnon said. “So same thing with cats and claws, they still have those. That’s still part of their nature and instincts and it makes them a happy, healthy cat.”
Pinnon says the procedure of declawing is extremely intrusive and advises all cat owners research on other choices, such as regular nail trimmings and purchasing scratching posts.
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