10 Years Later, Weho Celebrates Landmark Declawing Ordinance

Weho's City Council is known for making landmark decisions.

In 1985, it became the nation's first city to create same-sex domestic partnership registration for residents and to provide domestic partnership benefits to city employees. 

West Hollywood also become the first officially pro-choice city in 1993 and the first city to ban the sale of animal fur in 2011. 

On Monday, West Hollywood will celebrate the 10th year anniversary of another landmark decision--the official ban on cat declawing. 

In recognition of the 10th anniversary of this landmark law, there will be a special screening of the documentary The Paw Project, followed by a reception. 

The Paw Project, a nonprofit animal welfare organization, is also a documentary about how veterinarian and Paw Project founder Dr. Jennifer Conrad started a movement to end cat declawing.  The event will take place on Monday, April 29, 2013, from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. at the Pacific Design Center’s Silver Screen Theatre, 8687 Melrose Avenue in West Hollywood. Admission is free.

Declawing is a painful surgery that can lead to potential life-long medical complications for the cat.  It is a common practice that’s done more for the convenience of pet guardian than the benefit of the animal, according to a press release provided by the West Hollywood City Council.  It is estimated that more than one-quarter or more of all cats in the United States have been declawed.

The 2003 ordinance prohibits any person, including licensed medical professionals, from performing or cause to perform an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure within the City of West Hollywood, except in those limited cases when there is a therapeutic necessity.