Posting Language
Title
Approve an ordinance amending City Code Chapter 3-1 (General Provisions) and Chapter 3-2 (Restrictions on Animals) to add definitions relating to declawing cats; prohibit the practice of declawing cats; creating an offense; and establishing an affirmative defense.
De
Lead Department
Animal Services Office.
Fiscal Note
This item has no fiscal impact.
For More Information:
Don Bland, Chief Animal Services Officer, 512-978-0521; Kymberley Maddox, Assistant Director of Administration, 512-972-5041; Belinda Hare, Agenda Coordinator, 512-978-0565
Council Committee, Boards and Commission Action:
During the September 10, 2018, regular meeting of the Animal Advisory Commission, commissioners voted unanimously to send City Council a recommendation to prohibit the declawing of cats and requested Committee Agenda Item Request #20180910-4a.
Additional Backup Information:
After extensive public input and discussion over the course of almost two years, the Animal Advisory Commission (AAC) at its September 10, 2018, meeting, moved to send a recommendation asking the City Council to prohibit the cruel and unnecessary practice of declawing cats within the City of Austin.
The motion was proceeded by eight months of meetings and discussions with veterinarians, cat rescue groups and consultations with the local veterinary association president who declined to attend meetings. The motion passed unanimously.
The recommendation will protect cats from unnecessary elective amputations while also preserving a veterinarian’s discretion in addressing the physical medical condition of the cat for a therapeutic purpose. Only surgeries done for aesthetic reasons or those done for convenience of the cat’s owner would be prohibited.
Strategic Outcome(s)
Strategic Outcome(s):
Health and Environment