Res No 126-18-15159RESOLUTION NO. 126-18-15159
A Resolution of the Mayor and City Commission of the City of South Miami
encouraging the Florida Legislature to ban the declawing of cats.
WHEREAS, feline onychectomy, the declawing of cats, a cruel procedure that is inflicted
on adult cats and also on their kittens, has been shown to cause arthritis, pain in the paws, litter
box aversion and the inability to scratch, and frequently causes them to become biters; and
WHEREAS, some cities, including Santa Monica and Norfolk, Virginia already have bans
against declawing in place; and
WHEREAS, New York, New Jersey, West Virginia and Rhode Island are considering
legislation to ban declawing; and
WHEREAS, there is a growing number of veterinarians and veterinary groups opposed to
the practice of declawing and who support anti-declawing legislation.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE MAYOR AND CITY
COMMISSION OF THE CITY OF SOUTH MIAMI, FLORIDA THAT:
Section 1. The Mayor and City Commission hereby support legislation banning the
declawing of cats and request other communities to join the City of South Miami in encouraging
legislation banning such practice.
Section 2. The City Clerk is instructed to send a copy of this resolution to the Miami-Dade
Board of County Commissioners, the municipalities in Miami-Dade County, the Florida League
of Cities, the Governor and his Cabinet, and all member of the Florida Legislature.
Section 3. Severability. If any section clause, sentence, or phrase of this resolution is for
any reason held invalid or unconstitutional by a court of competent jurisdiction, the holding shall
not affect the validity of the remaining portions of this resolution.
Section 4. Effective Date. This resolution shall become effective immediately upon
adoption by vote of the City Commission.
PASSED AND ADOPTED this 3 rd day of July, 2018.
ATTEST: APPROVED:
CITY LE LtIjfIJJJ.A
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Res. No. 126-18-15159
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COMMISSION VOTE: 5-0
Mayor Stoddard:
Vice Mayor Harris:
Yea
Yea
Commissioner Welsh: Yea
Commissioner Liebman: Yea
Commissioner Gil: Yea