Many veterinary clinics across the country offer declawing, and policies regarding the procedure vary among university veterinary hospitals. Cummings School at Tufts University does not perform the surgery. University of California-Davis’ Small Animal Clinic normally does not perform it either, says spokeswoman Lynn Narlesky. The Ohio State University and the University of Georgia veterinary hospitals do offer declaw procedures, but only after making sure clients are aware of other management methods, representatives say.
“We do not offer elective declaws,” says spokeswoman Ginger Guttner of Louisiana State University. “We will perform them if there is a very good medical reason to do so,” such as to protect the safety of an owner who is immune-compromised and cannot risk being scratched.
At Washington State University, spokesman Charlie Powell says, “We do not recommend declawing as a general rule. But in the case of, say, an 80-year-old woman with paper-thin skin whose only companion is her cat, yes, we will do it.”
Declawing is illegal in several countries and certain California cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, West Hollywood and Berkeley.
