Tacoma Votes to Protect Cats from Declawing

Council Member John Hines (center) with leadership members of the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.

In a momentous stride toward compassion and animal well-being, Tacoma has made Washington history!  

On December 5, the City Council voted to ban the inhumane practice of cat declawing. This groundbreaking decision not only makes Tacoma the first city in the state to put an end to this mutilation but also stands as a testament to the power of collaboration between local government, animal welfare organizations, and community. 

At the heart of this historic initiative was a partnership between Council Members John Hines, Olgy Diaz, and Sarah Rumbaugh, and animal welfare organizations, including the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County. 

Our shelter staff played a pivotal role in crafting and advocating for this key legislation for animal welfare. From initial drafting to the final vote, our staff and community helped make this ban a reality to change the lives of countless cats. 

Paws in Peril: How Cat Declawing Harms Feline Companions 

Cat declawing is a significant surgical procedure involving the removal of a cat’s toe bones and claws, which can cause physical and mental trauma for cats. 

The procedure is recognized as cruel and unnecessary by leading national animal welfare organizations including American Association of Feline Practitioners, the American Animal Hospital Association, and the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). 

In fact, the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County received approximately 6,300 cats from Pierce County in 2022. Many of these cats arrived bearing the negative effects of declawing, exhibiting heartbreaking behavioral and medical issues.  

When a cat is declawed, the mutilation leaves the nerve area at the removal site highly sensitive, causing cats to change what was once their normal behaviors. This can lead to negative behavioral challenges such as abandonment of the litter box altogether.  

Cats can also become frustrated by the inability to use their claws and resort to biting as a form of protection and communication. This not only impacts the cat’s well-being, but it also hinders their chances of successfully finding or staying in a home.   

Furthermore, they lose their primary defense mechanism, rendering declawed cats vulnerable to predators if they were to get outside. 

“The Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County has seen firsthand the profound and heartbreaking consequences of declawing on a cat’s behavioral, emotional, and physical well-being. We appreciate the City Council’s collaboration in banning this inhumane practice, recognizing our shared responsibility to protect animals from unnecessary suffering and ensuring their right to a pain-free life,” says Leslie Dalzell, chief executive officer at the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County.  

Eliminating the practice of declawing is a giant leap towards well-being for our community’s cats and creating a compassionate community where our feline companions can thrive in their new and current homes.  

You Made It Possible

We put out a plea for support for our feline friends, and you answered!  

The community’s voices and messages of support for this ban have not only shaped a pivotal moment in Tacoma history but have also reinforced our shared commitment to creating a safer and more humane environment for cats.  

“We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our dedicated animal-loving community for joining us in championing this ban and for sharing their powerful messages of support,” says Dalzell.  

Read more about the ban here. Nailed it! 

The moment Council Member Hines fell in love with Atlas.

Beyond the Ban: A Council Member’s Shelter Visit  

While championing the proposed declawing ban, Council Member Hines not only collaborated with the Humane Society for Tacoma & Pierce County but also discovered a furry companion in the midst of it all—underscoring the profound impact and heartwarming nature of our connections with animals! 

Congratulations, Atlas!

Congratulations to Atlas and the Hines family!