Poster by Ruth
The declawing of any cat in the UK, other than for medical reasons for the cat, would result in the Veterinary Surgeon, his/her assistant at the operation and the owner of the unfortunate cat, all to be arrested for cruelty to animals under what people refer to as the “Pet Welfare law” which came into force in April 2007. This is the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This is one of the best pieces of animal welfare legislation in the world.
They would be liable to a fine of up to £20,000 or to be sentenced to a term in prison for up to one year.
According to the Pet Welfare law all animals are entitled to five freedoms:
1.Freedom from hunger and thirst
2.Freedom from pain,injury and disease
3.Freedom from discomfort (bedding ,temperature, floor surfaces)
4.Freedom to express normal behaviour
5.Freedom from fear and distress
If the USA and Canada had a Pet Welfare law the same as the UK, freedom rule no.2 would be broken as declawing causes cats pain and injury. It can also cause disease in that many declawed cats suffer stress illnesses and painful arthritis.
Freedom rule no. 4 would also be broken as declawed cats are unable to express normal behaviour. Scratching is not bad behaviour, it is necessary behaviour for a cat’s health and fulfillment.
Freedom rule no. 5 would also be broken as cats feel fear when left in places they do not know, with strangers around them. After waking up in pain and shock from declawing they are also distressed.This can not be avoided if the cat needs necessary treatment or surgery at the Veterinarians clinic ,but declawing is not necessary surgery,it is convenience surgery on behalf of the caretaker of the cat.
Three out of five freedoms in the USA and Canada would be broken every day by declawing if they had a Pet Welfare law in those countries to protect animals from abuse.
Cats feel as much pain,fear and distress in those countries as they do in the UK and the other countries where declawing is banned.
Yet this cruel operation is performed daily, millions of cats are suffering, but still it goes on.
For the sake of the cats with the misfortune to be born in those countries where declawing is acceptable, it MUST be banned and soon.
Article by