In a monumental win for cats, Massachusetts has adopted legislation outlawing declawing surgeries for felines — making it the third state in the U.S. to prohibit the inhumane procedure.

Bill S.2552, or An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing, was signed into law by Governor Maura Healey. The new law bans declawing cats and “any other procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw or digit of a cat in order to prohibit the normal function of a claw or prevents the normal functioning of 1 or more claws,” according to the bill.

While the myth that it is acceptable to declaw cats persists, the reality is that cats who are subjected to this cruel operation suffer; the procedure is likened to amputating “all ten human fingertips at the first knuckle.”

Declawed cats are left with impaired ability to balance, climb, jump, catch themselves from falling, stretch, or engage in other normal behaviors. Even using a litter box becomes more painful and difficult for a declawed cat. Cats who are subjected to the cruel surgery may become anxious and fearful.

The frustration and pain declawed cats experience also frequently lead to worsened “adverse behaviors,” according to a study.

While many veterinarians consider the surgery to be cruel, it is still legal in most states. New York and Maryland are the only two other states that have banned the gruesome surgery, as reported by CBS News. This new law is good news for the cats in Massachusetts — whose safety, health, and happiness are better protected.

Anyone who performs or causes someone to perform this surgery must do so for a “therapeutic purpose”; otherwise, they will receive a fine. Veterinarians who perform this procedure may face discipline.

Lady Freethinker applauds Massachusetts for this compassionate legislation that keeps cats safer from cruel cosmetic surgeries – and encourages other states to follow suit.