A bill for an act prohibiting the declawing of cats, and providing penalties.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Molly Donahue

The bill bans non-therapeutic cat declawing unless done by a licensed vet for a therapeutic purpose, with escalating civil penalties for violations.

Subcommittee: Zumbach, Bennett, and Driscoll.

#animals #civilprocedure #felineanimals #health-relatedprofessions #publicsafetydepartment #veterinarymedicine

Purpose and scope

SF 107 proposes to prohibit the declawing of cats unless the procedure is performed by a licensed veterinarian for a therapeutic purpose. The bill creates a new Code chapter (169B) to govern this prohibition and related enforcement. The goal is to restrict non-therapeutic surgical declawing and establish civil penalties for violations.

Key provisions

Prohibition: A person may not declaw a cat unless the procedure is performed by a licensed veterinarian for a therapeutic purpose (as defined under the bill’s new Code chapter 169B).

New Code chapter: Establishes the framework for the prohibition and related definitions and processes.

Civil penalties for violations:

First violation: $500
Second violation within two years: $1,500
Third or subsequent violation within five years: $2,500

Enforcement and proceeds:

Violations are classified as scheduled violations (civil penalties, not criminal charges).
The civil penalty collected is deposited into the general fund of the county, city, or state, depending on the enforcement officer’s jurisdiction.

Affected parties

Cat owners who may seek non-therapeutic declawing services.

Licensed veterinarians and veterinary clinics (the bill allows declawing only when performed for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian).

Enforcement agencies and offices (the bill references penalties and jurisdiction-based enforcement).

Procedural and timeline aspects

Introduced: January 22, 2025.

Legislative actions:

Referred to Agriculture (2025-01-22).
Subcommittee action: January 27, 2025 (Zumbach, Bennett, and Driscoll).

Status: Subcommittee considered the bill; further committee action would follow typical legislative steps (public hearings, potential amendments, and floor votes) if the bill advances.

Sponsor: Donahue (primary).

Potential impacts and considerations

The bill would likely reduce or eliminate non-therapeutic declawing practices in jurisdictions where it is enacted, by imposing civil penalties and requiring veterinary involvement for any declawing.

By treating violations as scheduled civil offenses and directing penalties to the appropriate general fund, the bill ties enforcement outcomes to local or state fiscal administration.

The definition of “therapeutic purpose” and any exemptions or medical considerations are not detailed in the provided text; those definitions will materially affect the bill’s application.

This summary reflects the bill’s text and stated provisions as introduced and current subcommittee status.

Bill