Burbank Joins 7 Other Compassionate CA Cities: Bans Declawing

California kitties with intact claws can now breathe a sigh of relief this morning. Last night by a 4-1 vote, the Burbank City Council voted to outlaw declawing cats in their city, becoming the 8th city in the state to pass a declawing ban. The one dissenting vote was cast by Mayor Gary Bric, who did not support the ban. High five for declawing bans! Happily, Burbank's population of 100,000 has the potential to save lots of claws! Cat lovers around the country, who deplore the inhumane practice, are thrilled with the announcement. The City has now joined West Hollywood, Santa Monica, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Culver City and Berkeley with this feline-friendly legislation, ahead of a state law which will prevent cities and counties from passing any bans after January 1, 2010. The ordinance takes place immediately. Additionally, Marin County is considering a resolution to protect cats in the county, since time is running short for their council to put it on their agenda to pass an ordinance. According to an article in the "Burbank Leader" dated December 8 at 11:00 PM, after two hours of public testimony, Police Captain Janice Lowers, who oversees the Burbank Animal Shelter recommended that the council go ahead and pass the ban. Vice Mayor Anja Reinke said, "Even though it's a small issue, I think it's still important for the city of Burbank to support an issue that is morally the right thing to do," Veterinarian Armati May, in support of the ban, added that the ban was necessary to protect cats from excruciating pain and potential lameness to which cats are at risk from the surgery. She added, "It's gotten to the point where the veterinarian profession has failed to educate itself. Even the name 'declaw' is a misnomer. It doesn't adequately convey what this procedure entails." The surgery, performed by Veterinarians consists of the amputation of the last joint of each toe on the paws to completely remove the nail bed. Post surgical pain is horrendous, often with insufficient pain control administered post-surgery. Common behavioral problems following the surgery are for cats to stop using their litter boxes and to start biting. However, should veterinarians consider that a medical situation such as an injury, any abnormalities of the claw or illness in which they determine that declawing is absolutely necessary; the ordinance will permit surgical intervention. Cat lovers in the United States, who abhor the practice of declawing cats hope that a National ban will follow in the footsteps of these forward-thinking California cities in the near future. Since there are already over 37 countries around the world that have already passed bans on the practice, there are a huge number of veterinarians who believe the surgery is inhumane and completely unnecessary. It is well documented that providing cats with appropriate scratching posts, cat trees, stimulating environments in addition to keeping claws trimmed, is highly recommended over declawing, in order to preserve the health and well being of our beloved felines. How do you feel about Burbank's passage of their declaw ban? Leave a comment and let us know. Photo Credit: Advice.com