Governor Maura Healey signed into regulation a ban the merciless follow 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 regulation will be sure that cats don’t have to endure pointless and painful invasive procedures.
Declawing entails the amputation of bones on a cat’s foot or severing a tendon to forestall extension of the claws and sometimes 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 sometimes leads to critical medical and behavioral issues. Banning this merciless follow, which is in essence amputation, will stop cats in Massachusetts from unnecessary 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 regulation in 2024:
- “Ollie’s Legislation,” which requires affordable guidelines and rules 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 now not be a consider 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 companies companies from reporting suspected animal cruelty.
- S. 2908, a invoice with provisions that ban the sale of animals below eight weeks and forestall the roadside/out of doors 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 advantageous and may embody disciplinary motion by the veterinary board.
Be taught extra about ARL’s advocacy efforts.
