Several California cities to look at cat declawing bans this week

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The next couple of weeks will be busy for those interested in the issue of cat declawing in California. Several cities are weighing proposals that would ban declawing or affirm opposition to the practice within their city limits.

• The city of Los Angeles’ Public Safety Committee will look at the issue Monday at its 9:30 a.m. meeting.
• On Tuesday afternoon, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors will consider an ordinance that would prohibit onychectomy (declawing) and flexor tendonectomy procedures on cats except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose.
• The Beverly Hills City Council is slated to discuss a ban on nontherapeutic animal declawing at its meeting Thursday night.
• The Malibu City Council will consider a resolution opposing cat declawing in the city at its Nov. 9 meeting.
• On Nov. 10, the Santa Monica City Council is expected to have a second reading of a measure that would ban onychectomy and tendonectomy except for the medical necessity of the cat.

The issue has gained urgency because of a pending California law that gives the state authority over medical scope-of-practice issues and prevents cities and counties from passing ordinances banning medical procedures starting Jan. 1.

-- Anne Colby