More info re 3 proposed declaw bans

September 22, 2009

Hi folks,

I am forwarding this email, which has more information on the proposed declawing bans in three cities (Santa Monica, San Francisco and Los Angeles) and also the addresses of the people to write to/call in Los Angeles, as well as San Francisco. Unfortunately I did not get this email in time to forward it before the Santa Monica deadline (today), and I don't have any news on what happened today in Santa Monica.

A sample letter is attached (you will find it at the end of the email as well), so please write and send/fax these letters as soon as possible. Emails and calls are not quite as effective, but if that's what you are able to do, please call and/or email these people.

Please forward this email as widely as possible to anyone who cares about animals.

The animals appreciate it. Thank you!

Nadine

--- On Sat, 9/19/09, Willow Evans <myvetdidwhat wrote:

Willow Evans <myvetdidwhatUrgent and time sensitive declaw bansinfoDate: Saturday, September 19, 2009, 2:18 PM

Hi my friends and family,This could be a very very exciting time for cats and all of the other animals that suffer from getting de-clawed such as opossums, squirrels, skunks, raccoons

and yes even dogs.Currently three cities have put a ban on de-clawing on the agenda. If these bans pass, it sets great precedent for the whole country and even Canada. But...There is powerful opposition to these bans that protect animals from being de-clawed. The opposition is from from vets and vet organizations that are profiting from this barbaric procedure. They have deep pockets . The California Veterinary Medical Association, is a trade organization that lobbies for veterinary financial interests just spent a quarter of a million dollars to pass a state law the would prohibit cities from passing bans that regulate veterinarians. De-clawing has been outlawed for being so inhumane in over twenty -five countries.

We have our voices, our letters, our compassion to put a stop to this legal animal cruelty. We must be heard. I can't even begin to tell you the horrors I've heard and seen working on this documentary. Believe me it is never ok to amputate healthy and useful limbs.Our letters, faxes, emails and phone calls do make a difference. Because it's three cities it does take extra time but the letters can be the same, just change the names, and they don't have to be long.Do what you can. Ask FOR Support On A Ban On Declawing. Sometimes that gets confusing, but it is to ask them to vote to ban declawing. Santa Monica votes to see if they will move forward this coming Tuesday. There is a sample letter attached if you want topic bullet points.This could be an historical victory for cats and other animals but Jenny and I and a few friends in San Francisco cannot do this alone. We need numbers, That's what the councils and supervisors will see. Please forward. Letters from other states can emphasizethat legislation to ban declawing in any city helps the movement to stop this animal cruelty in our whole country and will be an example for Canada to follow.Thank you for your time, remember it's for the cats.Willow(310) 392-6090****************************************************************Below is Jenny's writing that will go on her website http://www.pawproject.org:

September 18, 2009URGENTThe Paw Project is pleased to announce that the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco and Santa Monica are proposing to ban the practice of cat declawing. In order to achieve a victory, the will of the people must be heard. Please write a paper letter and mail it or fax it. (Email letters are much less effective.)The battle is time sensitive. Our window closes after January 1, 2010. The veterinarians who declaw cats and report making upwards of $1000/hour doing it, have made a law that restricts local governments in their ability to decide what constitutes animal cruelty. A sample letter, with parts that you must personalize, is up for you to print and sign and send/fax. The addresses of all of the city officials are also listed for your convenience. Your efforts make a difference! Please be part of this important movement. The time is now. The first deadline for Santa Monica is September 22, 2009. We cannot let this opportunity pass.WHAT YOU CAN DOThe following California cities currently are proposing bans on cat declawing:Los AngelesSan FranciscoSanta MonicaPlease take a moment to contact one or more representatives from each city and go on record expressing your support for a ban on feline declawing. YOU ARE NOT REQUIRED TO BE A RESIDENT TO EXPRESS YOUR SUPPORT FOR THE BAN. If you are a resident of one of these cities, please say so as it will further assist these elected representatives in their decisions. LOS ANGELESMayor Antonio Villaraigosa Los Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-978-0600 Fax: 213-978-0750 Email: mayorDistrict 1 - Ed ReyesLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 410 Los Angeles, CA 90012Phone: 213-473-7001 Fax: 213-485-8907 Email: councilmember.reyesDistrict 2 - Open (election for this seat to come) Phone: 213-473-7002District 3 - Dennis P. ZineLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 450 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7003 Email: councilmember.zineDistrict 4 - Tom LaBongeLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 480 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7004 Fax: 213-624-7810 Email: councilmember.labongeDistrict 5 - Paul KoretzLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 440 Los Angeles, CA 90012Phone: 213-473-7005 Fax: 213-978-2250 Email: paul.koretzDistrict 6 - Tony CardenasLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 455 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7006 Fax: 213-847-0549 Email: councilmember.cardenasDistrict 7 - Richard AlarconLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 425 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7007 Fax: 213-847-0707 Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm)District 8 - Bernard ParksLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 460 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7008 Fax: 213-485-7683 Email: councilmember.parksDistrict 9 - Jan PerryLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 420 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7009 Fax: 213-473-5946 Email: jan.perryDistrict 10 - Herb J. Wesson, Jr.Los Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 430 Los Angeles, CA 90012Phone: 213-473-7010 Fax: 213-485-9829 Email: councilmember.wessonDistrict 11 - Bill RosendahlLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 415 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7011 Fax: 213-473-6926 Email: councilmember.rosendahlDistrict 12 - Greig SmithLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 405 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7012 Fax: 213-473-6925 Email: councilmember.smithDistrict 13 - Eric GarcettiLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 470 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7013 Fax: 213-613-0819 Email: councilmember.garcettiDistrict 14 - Jose HuizarLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 465 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7014 Fax: 213-847-0680 Email: councilmember.huizarDistrict 15 - Janice HahnLos Angeles City Hall 200 N. Spring St. Room 435 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: 213-473-7015 Fax: 213-626-5431 Email: councilmember.hahnSAN FRANCISCOMayor Gavin NewsomCity Hall, Room 2001 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett PlaceSan Francisco, CA 94102Telephone: (415) 554-6141Fax: (415) 554-6160Email: gavin.newsomSupervisor David ChiuCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7450 - voice(415) 554-7454 - faxDavid.ChiuSupervisor Eric MarCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7410 - voice(415) 554-7415 - faxEric.L.MarSupervisor Michela Alioto-PierCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7752 - voice(415) 554-7843 - faxMichela.Alioto-PierSupervisor Carmen ChuCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7460 - voice(415) 554-7432 - faxCarmen.ChuSupervisor Ross MirkarimiCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7630 - voice(415) 554-7634 - faxRoss.MirkarimiSupervisor Chris DalyCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7970 - voice(415) 554-7974 - faxChris.DalySupervisor Sean ElsberndCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-6516 - voice(415) 554-6546 - faxSean.ElsberndSupervisor Bevan DuftyCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-6968 - voice(415) 554-6909 - faxBevan.DuftySupervisor David CamposCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-5144 - voice(415) 554-6255 - FaxDavid.CamposSupervisor Sophie MaxwellCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-7670 - voice(415) 554-7674 - faxSophie.MaxwellSupervisor John AvalosCity Hall1 Dr. Carlton B. Goodlett Place, Room 244San Francisco, Ca 94102-4689(415) 554-6975 - voice(415) 554-6979 - faxJohn.AvalosSANTA MONICAMayor Ken GenserContact Information:1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401Office (310) 458-8201 cityFax (310)458-1621 Home (310) 395-0223 Mayor Pro Tempore Pam O'ConnorContact Information:1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401Message (310)458-8201Fax (310)458-1621 pam.oconnorRichard BloomContact Information:1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401Message (310)458-8201Fax (310)458-1621 richard.bloom Gleam DavisContact Information:1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401Message (310)458-8201Fax (310)458-1621 gleam.davisRobert HolbrookContact Information:760 Ermont Place, Santa Monica, CA 90402Home (310)394-1094 Fax (310)393-7948 home Fax (310)393-7948 robert.holbrookKevin McKeownContact Information:848-E 16th Street, Santa Monica, 90403Home (310) 393-3639 Fax (310) 393-3609 homeFax (310) 458-1621 office kevin Bobby ShriverContact Information:1685 Main Street, Room 209, Santa Monica, CA 90401Message (310)458-8201Fax (310)458-1621 bobby.shriver

___Here's the sample letter:

(Your Name)

(Your Address)

(Your Phone Number)

September 16, 2009

RE: Anti-Declaw Ordinance: Support

Dear Councilmember __________:

Please consider enacting a ban on declawing of cats in the city of ___________.

Declawing is a separate amputation of each of the last bones in cats’ toes.

Declawing a cat puts that cat at a higher risk of losing its home because of the behavior problems (biting and litter box avoidance) that occur after declawing. Statistics show that declawed cats are more likely to be relinquished.

Declawed cats, because they are more likely to lose their homes, put an extra burden on the already over-burdened animal shelter system.

Declawing a cat to protect a child or immunocompromised person is not recommended by physicians because a declawed cat is more likely to bite.

Declawing with laser is still an amputation of the last bones in cats’ toes and is just as painful or maybe even more painful as other methods of declawing.

There are many humane alternatives to declawing. Routine nail trims, appropriate scratching posts, Soft Paws ® (vinyl sheaths that fit over the nail), and double sided sticky tape all work well.

Declawing is illegal in much of the rest of the world. It is considered inhumane and characterized as mutilation.

Please make the city more humane towards our companion animals.

Thank you very much,

(Your Signature)

1 of 1 File(s)

Sample letter city declaw.doc