Bill > HB5208

This bill prohibits veterinarians and other individuals from performing declawing procedures on cats, except when medically necessary for a legitimate therapeutic purpose. The bill defines a "therapeutic purpose" as addressing a specific physical medical condition in a cat's claw that compromises the animal's health, explicitly excluding cosmetic or convenience-related reasons. The term "cat" is broadly defined to include domestic cats and various hybrid breeds like Savannah, Bengal, and Maine Coon cats. The procedures prohibited include onychectomy (removing the claw), phalangectomy (removing part of the toe), tendonectomy, and any other surgical intervention that prevents normal functioning of a cat's claws, toes, or paws. Violations of this prohibition will result in civil fines, with a first offense carrying a potential fine of up to $2,500 and subsequent offenses potentially resulting in fines up to $5,000. The bill allows prosecution of these violations by either the county prosecutor or the state attorney general, making it a legal mechanism to protect cats from non-medically necessary declawing procedures.

Agriculture and Natural Resources

https://legislature.mi.gov/Bills/Bill?ObjectName=2025-HB-5208