You love your pets.
So do we.
Today, millions of American cats and dogs have been, and continue to be, subjected to non-therapeutic invasive procedures. Too often, procedures such as ear cropping, tail docking, declawing, and more go unnoticed---and are considered normal, simply a part of "what is."
National Pet Advocacy and Welfare Society (NPAWS) is changing the future for America’s pets by creating a Pet Positive country free from normalized pet cruelty. Spay/neuter-related procedures do not fall into this category, as they serve the greater good to moderate population and euthanasia rates.
Pet Positive Movement
The NPAWS Pet PositiveTM Movement is a compassionate revolution sweeping the country to shine a light on these outdated norms and inspire the positive behavior needed to end them. The Pet Positive Movement encourages all Americans to move toward a world with natural pets. A world where animals no longer undergo painful and unnecessary invasive procedures.
Pet Positive Veterinary Clinic Certification
To provide veterinary facilities with a platform to express their Pet Positive views and help expand awareness, we are now offering Pet Positive certification to veterinary facilities that do not perform. The Certification recognizes, applauds, and certifies American veterinary facilities that do not perform non-therapeutic invasive procedures on cats and dogs. It spotlights their forward-thinking humane position to bring Pet Positive vets together with like-minded pet parents. such procedures.
Meet Carlos
The Curios & Capable Tabby
Hi, there. Carlos here!
Sometimes I sneak out to visit my adoring public. Because my family lets me keep my fingers instead of “declawing” me, I can defend myself and escape predators while I’m out and about. My pet parents may fuss, but they're always happy when I get home safe.
Declawing chops off toes at the first knuckle. Ew! The pain and fear cause some cats to avoid litter boxes, bite, or do other icky things. Some even have chronic back pain from not being able to walk or stretch.
Many of my feline friends have been declawed then left at shelters because of resulting behavior problems. Around 70% of cats relinquished to shelters for behavior problems are euthanized.
More than a million cats are declawed...each year.
In a Pet Positive country,
pets will be able to live life to the fullest.
Our Goal
NPAWS is changing the future for America's pets by saving coming generations of companion animals' ears, tails, toes, and more from non-therapeutic invasive procedures, such as ear cropping, tail docking, and declawing. As we do this, we create a more humane nation. A nation that will be better respected, alongside Europe and the many countries around the world that already ban these practices.
What We do
NPAWS educates and advocates for a future free from non-therapeutic invasive pet procedures. The NPAWS Pet Positive Movement encourages all Americans to appreciate natural pets and maintain their full potential. The NPAWS Pet Positive Veterinary Facility certification recognizes veterinary facilities that do not perform such procedures.
Meet Betty
The Born This Way Boxer
I’m Betty, a natural Boxer
When I was a pup, my family let me keep my natural ears and tail and requested it from their breeder. They felt I was made perfect and, naturally, I agree. Some say tail docking helps prevent injury. But facts say that only 1 in 500 pups ever injures it's tail. And many heal.
So, I ask, would you go ahead and chop off your finger if you only had 1 in a 500 chance of ever injuring it?
Don’t get me started on ear cropping. It does not prevent ear infections. In fact, it can cause them, both from the original surgery and from the nasty stuff that can get inside more easily afterward.
