Posted: November 13, 2009, 3 a.m. EST
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The news has been full of stories recently about various California cities banning the practice of cat declawing.
Most recently, the Santa Monica City Council passed an ordinance, joining San Francisco and West Hollywood in the ban. Other cities taking preliminary steps include Los Angeles, Beverly Hills and Berkeley. All three cities are scheduled to have final votes at their Nov. 17 meetings.
The California cities are taking action in such rapid succession because the state Legislature passed a law prohibiting local cities and counties from passing ordinances banning medical procedures, which goes into effect Jan. 1, 2010.
Jennifer Conrad, founder of the Paw Project, which seeks an end to declawing, said California is at the forefront nationwide in banning the procedure. It has been prohibited or condemned in a number of European countries.
However, the California Veterinary Medical Association doesn't want municipalities legislating what vets can and cannot do.
Personally, I would not declaw any cat that I owned, but then, I have never faced any problems with destructive behavior from any of my kitties.
What do you think?
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