Petition to Ban Cat Declawing in Iowa

We, the undersigned, urge the state of Iowa to ban the practice of cat declawing , except in rare cases of genuine medical necessity.

Declawing is not a harmless procedure. It is an invasive surgery that involves amputating the last bone of each toe-equivalent to removing a human's fingers at the knuckles. This causes significant pain, physical impairment, and long-term behavioral issues for cats.

Why Declawing Must Be Banned
*Severe pain and complications: Declawing can lead to chronic pain, nerve damage, infection, and arthritis.
*Behavioral fallout: Many declared cats develop litter box avoidance, biting, anxiety, and depression.
*Increased shelter surrender: Declawed cats are more likely to be abandoned or euthanized due to behavior problems caused by the surgery itself.
*Unnecessary and outdated: Humane alternatives such as scratching posts,nail trimming, nail caps, and behavior training-are effective and widely available.
*Veterinary consensus is shifting: Many veterinarians and animal welfare organizations oppose routine declawing as unethical and inhumane.

Numerous cities, states, and countries have already recognized the cruelty of declawing and enacted bans. Iowa should join them by prioritizing animal welfare and modern, humane standards of care.

What We Are Asking For
*A statewide ban on elective cat declawing.
*Declawing allowed only when medically necessary for the health of the cat and performed by a licensed veterinarian.
*Education and promotion of humane alternatives for guardians.

Cats deserve to live free from unnecessary pain and mutilation. Declawing is a relic of the past land it's time for Iowa to leave it there.

Please act now to protect cats across Iowa.