Governor Maura Healey signed into regulation a ban the merciless observe of declawing, an effort lead by Sponsor Senator Mark Montigny for a number of classes.
Supported by animal safety organizations just like the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and veterinarians throughout Massachusetts, this regulation will be sure that cats shouldn’t have to endure pointless and painful invasive procedures.
Declawing includes the amputation of bones on a cat’s foot or severing a tendon to forestall extension of the claws and infrequently leads to vital medical and behavioral issues for cats.
ARL has actively supported efforts to ban declawing in Massachusetts for the reason that invoice was first filed in 2019.
“The Governor’s signing into regulation a ban on feline declawing marks one more achievement for animal safety this session. Declawing of cats doesn’t enhance the human-animal bond and infrequently leads to severe medical and behavioral issues. Banning this merciless observe, which is in essence amputation, will forestall cats in Massachusetts from useless ache and struggling. We’re grateful to the Governor for her signature, invoice sponsor Senator Mark Montigny for his tireless management on this invoice and dedication to creating Massachusetts a greater place for animals, in addition to Senate President Karen Spilka, Speaker Ronald Mariano, Senate Methods and Means Chair Michael Rodrigues, Home Methods and Means Chair Aaron Michlewitz, and Chairs of Client Safety and Skilled Licensure Consultant Tackey Chan and Senator John Cronin,” mentioned Ally Blanck, Director of Advocacy at ARL.
Ally Blanck, Director of Advocacy at ARL, with Senator Mark Montigny
Along with the ban on cat declawing, the next had been additionally signed into regulation in 2024:
- “Ollie’s Legislation,” which requires affordable guidelines and laws for canine daycares and boarding kennels.
- A regulation to ban using elephants, massive cats, primates, bears, and giraffes in touring exhibits in Massachusetts took impact on January 1.
- As of January 7, a canine’s breed can not be a think about figuring out whether or not a household can undertake or foster youngsters. This invoice additionally eliminated restrictive language that hindered workers and contractors of human companies businesses from reporting suspected animal cruelty.
- S. 2908, a invoice with provisions that ban the sale of animals underneath eight weeks and stop the roadside/outside sale of animals was additionally signed into regulation on January 8.
The declawing regulation takes impact on April 8. Violation of the regulation is a tremendous and also can embrace disciplinary motion by the veterinary board.
Study extra about ARL’s advocacy efforts.