WHAT YOU CAN DO …

 

Locally …

Contact the veterinarians in your area and ask if they declaw. If they do, politely ask them to stop and tell them that you are looking for a humane veterinarian who would never declaw.

Approach City Council Members or State Legislators and politely ask them to support or oppose pending legislation. See the bottom of this page for some tips on writing an effective letter

Statewide …

Call your state's veterinary medical association. Tell them that you disapprove of their declaw advocacy. Find veterinarians near you or search www.veterinarians.com.

Nationwide …

Call or email the American Veterinary Medical Association. Tell them that declawing is not an acceptable practice. Ask them to change their policy on this unnecessary surgery.

American Veterinary Medical Association
1931 N. Meacham Road, Suite 100
Schaumburg, IL 60173
Phone: 800-248-2862
Fax: 847-925-1329
Url: American Veterinary Medical Association

Letter-Writing Tips

1. Write a polite, personalized letter or email. (Letters that are sent or faxed are more effective than emails.) If you have any personal experience with declawing, especially negative ones, please include your story in the letter, using the first person, "I", to be more compelling. Be factual not emotional. Communicating a message that is concise, positive and proactive is far more persuasive than a long, critical message with a negative tone.
2. Include your full name and address in your letter (even e-mails)
3. Say why you are writing and who you are. List your "credentials."
4. ("Where should I send my letter?") Most city councils have a web site with the contact information for your local representatives. Contact information for State Representatives and Senators may be found at www.govspot.com/state/
5. If a specific bill or ordinance is involved, cite the correct title or number whenever possible. Above the salutation (e.g. Dear Council Member Doe) cite the action you want taken: a vote for or against a bill, the bill or ordinance number or change in general policy. Example:
   Re: AB 2427 (Eng) Business and Professions -- OPPOSE
6. Salutation should address a State Senator or State Representative as Dear Honorable [lastname] and a Council Member as Dear Council Member [lastname]
7. Address:
   The Honorable Jane Doe
   House of Representatives
   #### State House
   City, State ZIP CODE
   
   If your rep. is the Speaker, state assembly, address it as follows:
   The Honorable Jane Doe
   Speaker of House of Delegates
   -or-
   Speaker of House of Representatives ####State House
   City, State ZIP CODE
   
8. Click here to view a Sample Letter (Be sure to personalize the sample letter and make it your own)
9. For updates, please join The Paw Project mailing list.