It is interesting to note that the European Convention for the Protection of Pet Animals, created in 1987 and effective in 1992 is an agreement between 23 European countries to not declaw cats. The UK is not a signatory to the convention (an international agreement) but UK law (Animal Welfare Act 2006) bans declawing unless for specific medical reasons for the cat’s benefit.
Here is a screenshot of the relevant section of the convention:
The European countries signed up to the convention and which have ratified it are listed below (courtesy Wikipedia – thanks):
Country | Signed | Ratified | Entry into force |
---|---|---|---|
Austria | October 2, 1997 | August 10, 1999 | March 1, 2000 |
Azerbaijan | October 22, 2003 | October 19, 2007 | May 1, 2008 |
Belgium | November 13, 1987 | December 20, 1991 | July 1, 1992 |
Bulgaria | May 21, 2003 | July 20, 2004 | February 1, 2005 |
Cyprus | December 9, 1993 | December 9, 1993 | July 1, 1994 |
Czech Republic | June 24, 1998 | September 23, 1998 | March 24, 1999 |
Denmark | November 13, 1987 | October 20, 1992 | May 1, 1993 |
Finland | December 2, 1991 | December 2, 1991 | July 1, 1992 |
France | December 18, 1996 | October 3, 2003 | May 1, 2004 |
Germany | June 21, 1988 | May 27, 1991 | May 1, 1992 |
Greece | November 13, 1987 | April 29, 1992 | November 1, 1992 |
Italy | November 13, 1987 | April 19, 2011 | November 1, 2011 |
Latvia | March 1, 2010 | October 22, 2010 | May 1, 2011 |
Lithuania | September 11, 2003 | May 19, 2004 | December 1, 2004 |
Luxembourg | November 13, 1987 | October 25, 1991 | May 1, 1992 |
Netherlands | November 13, 1987 | ||
Norway | November 13, 1987 | February 3, 1988 | May 1, 1992 |
Portugal | November 13, 1987 | June 28, 1993 | January 1, 1994 |
Romania | June 23, 2003 | August 6, 2004 | March 1, 2005 |
Serbia | December 2, 2010 | December 2, 2010 | July 1, 2011 |
Spain | October 9, 2015 | ||
Sweden | March 14, 1989 | March 14, 1989 | May 1, 1992 |
Switzerland | November 13, 1990 | November 3, 1993 | June 1, 1994 |
Turkey | November 18, 1999 | November 28, 2003 | June 1, 2004 |
Ukraine | July 5, 2011 | January 9, 2014 | August 1, 2014 |
Countries in italics do allow tail docking. |
It is nice to see that the governments of these countries openly declaring that declawing must not take place. It is a statement of common sense. No doubt that each of these countries have their own animal welfare laws which makes it illegal to declaw. In effect this convention is a belt and braces piece of ‘legislation’ which binds the countries concerned by agreement.