Cat Declawing Ban Spreads Through Calif.

Two Southern California cities have voted to ban the declawing of cats, joining San Francisco and Santa Monica in outlawing the practice.

The Beverly Hills City Council voted 5-0 Tuesday night to approve a declawing ban, except in cases of medical necessity.

The Los Angeles City Council also approved a similar ordinance Tuesday. Berkeley approved the ban last week.

Officials in both cities say they wanted the ordinance to take effect before Jan. 1, when a state law bars cities and counties from regulating the practice of veterinary medicine.

The California Veterinary Medical Association opposed the ban, saying pet owners should be responsible for declawing decisions in consultation with their vets.

The city of West Hollywood outlawed declawing in 2003.