In a significant win for animal welfare, Rhode Island has become the fifth U.S. state to prohibit cat declawing, according to a State of Rhode Island General Assembly press release.

S.B. 180A/H.B. 5668A, which is set to go into effect on September 1, bans cat declawing surgeries except in cases of medical necessity — meaning cats can no longer be subjected to these procedures for cosmetic reasons or their guardians’ convenience.

The Ocean State joins New York, Maryland, Virginia, and Massachusetts in banning this needless and harmful practice.

“Declawing is painful, unnecessary and inhumane,” said Senator Melissa A. Murray, one of the bills’ sponsors. “It’s no way to treat any pet. Fortunately, there has been growing awareness of the risks and cruelty of declawing. Our state must recognize that declawing is animal abuse and prohibit it altogether.”

Declawing is not a harmless grooming procedure — it’s a surgery that involves amputating part of a cat’s toe bones or severing the tendons that control their paws. This forces cats to walk on the backs of their feet rather than their toes, making them more susceptible to back pain and impairing their balance, mobility, and ability to climb or jump.

Declawed cats may even develop anxiety or aggression as a result of the chronic stress they experience — all to accommodate human preferences.

“Mutilating a defenseless cat for any reason other than medical necessity is simply wrong and has no place in civilized society,” said Representative William W. O’Brien, another sponsor of the measure.

Lady Freethinker applauds Rhode Island lawmakers for passing this critical legislation and joining the growing list of states that have banned declawing — and we urge other states to follow suit.