Governor Maura Healey signed into legislation a ban the merciless apply of declawing, an effort lead by Sponsor Senator Mark Montigny for a number of periods.
Supported by animal safety organizations just like the Animal Rescue League of Boston (ARL) and veterinarians throughout Massachusetts, this legislation will make sure that cats don’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 stop extension of the claws and sometimes leads to important medical and behavioral issues for cats.
ARL has actively supported efforts to ban declawing in Massachusetts because the invoice was first filed in 2019.
“The Governor’s signing into legislation 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 sometimes leads to severe medical and behavioral issues. Banning this merciless apply, which is in essence amputation, will stop 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,” stated 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 have been additionally signed into legislation in 2024:
- “Ollie’s Regulation,” which requires cheap guidelines and laws for canine daycares and boarding kennels.
- A legislation to ban the usage of elephants, large cats, primates, bears, and giraffes in touring exhibits in Massachusetts took impact on January 1.
- As of January 7, a canine’s breed can now not be a think about figuring out whether or not a household can undertake or foster kids. This invoice additionally eliminated restrictive language that hindered staff and contractors of human providers companies from reporting suspected animal cruelty.
- S. 2908, a invoice with provisions that ban the sale of animals beneath eight weeks and stop the roadside/outside sale of animals was additionally signed into legislation on January 8.
The declawing legislation takes impact on April 8. Violation of the legislation is a advantageous and may embrace disciplinary motion by the veterinary board.
Be taught extra about ARL’s advocacy efforts.
