Bill > H5668

This bill prohibits veterinarians and other individuals from performing declawing procedures on cats, which are defined as surgical operations that amputate or modify a portion of a cat's paw to remove its claws, including a specific surgical technique called a tendonectomy. The bill provides detailed definitions, clarifying that routine nail trimming and applying temporary nail caps are not considered declawing. The legislation allows for exceptions when a procedure is deemed medically necessary (a "therapeutic purpose"), which must involve addressing a specific health condition in the cat's claws, nail bed, or toe bone, and explicitly excludes cosmetic or convenience-based procedures. Violations of this prohibition would be subject to prosecution and disciplinary procedures under existing animal welfare statutes. The bill is set to take effect on September 1, 2025, giving veterinary professionals and cat owners time to adjust to the new restrictions on surgical claw removal.

Justice

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