What's happening
This bill prohibits the declawing of cats in New York, except for necessary medical reasons, with violators facing a fine.
Why it matters
Sets a state precedent for animal welfare. By banning non-medical declawing, New York would be among the first states to legally recognize the procedure as harmful to cats, potentially influencing similar legislation elsewhere and shifting societal norms about acceptable pet care.
Defines clear medical exceptions. The bill allows declawing only for genuine health reasons (illness, infection, injury, etc.), not for cosmetic or owner convenience, which may prompt veterinarians and pet owners to more seriously consider the medical necessity before opting for such procedures.
Imposes enforceable penalties. With fines up to $1,000 for violations, the legislation creates a tangible deterrent for both pet owners and veterinarians, signaling that declawing is a serious welfare issue and not a routine practice.
May impact veterinary practices and pet ownership. The law could lead to changes in how veterinarians advise clients, and influence how landlords, shelters, and adopters approach cat ownership, especially regarding concerns like furniture scratching.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Cat Declawing
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Print number 3376a
- Amend and recommit to agriculture
- Referred to agriculture
- Committee discharged and committed to rules
- Referred to agriculture
Companion bill
The same bill in the other chamber. A bill becomes law when one version passes both houses and the governor signs it, so either number can carry it.
Ban Cat Declawing
In Assembly Committee · Agriculture · Sponsor Linda Rosenthal
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
3376--A
2017-2018 Regular Sessions
IN SENATE
January 23, 2017
Introduced by Sens. GRIFFO, ADDABBO, ALCANTARA, AVELLA, BOYLE, DILAN, O'MARA, SERRANO, STAVISKY, TEDISCO -- read twice and ordered printed, and when printed to be committed to the Committee on Agriculture -recommitted to the Committee on Agriculture in accordance with Senate Rule 6, sec. 8 -- committee discharged, bill amended, ordered reprinted as amended and recommitted to said committee
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the declawing of cats
The People of the State of New York, represented in Senate and Assembly, do enact as follows:
Section 1. The agriculture and markets law is amended by adding a new section 381 to read as follows:
§ 381. Prohibition of the declawing of cats. 1. No person shall perform an onychectomy (declawing), partial or complete phlangectomy or tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat within the state of New York, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose. Therapeutic purpose means the necessity to address the physical medical condition of the cat, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition in the claw that compromises the cat's health. Therapeutic purpose does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat.
2. Any person who performs an onychectomy, partial or complete phlangectomy or tendonectomy procedure on any cat within the state of New York shall be guilty of a violation of this section which shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed one thousand dollars.
§ 2. This act shall take effect immediately.
EXPLANATION--Matter in italics (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
[ ] is old law to be omitted.
LBD01725-02-8
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Sponsor's memo
Title of bill
An act to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the declawing of cats
Purpose
To prohibit the performance of declawing procedures on cats and other animals.
Summary of provisions
Section one amends the agriculture and markets law by adding a new section 381.
Section two sets forth the effective date.
Justification
Cats' claws play an important role in various aspects of their lives. Cats use their claws to assist in climbing and maintaining balance, to help them fully stretch, to relieve stress through kneading and to escape danger. When a person has its animal declawed, usually in an attempt to protect furniture; they do fundamental damage to that animal both physically and in behavioral ways. There are harmless ways to manage undesirable behavior through simple training and other estab- lished methods.
Declawing, also known as onychectomy, involves the removal of all or most of the last bone of each of the toes of the front feet, and tendons, nerves and ligaments that allow for normal function of the paw are severed, resulting in intense and chronic pain and other serious medical issues. Flexor tendonectomy, in which cats' toes are cut so that claws cannot be extended, also imperils their health and safety. Abscesses often develop as the area comes into contact with dirt or litter, and sometimes regrowth can occur spontaneously resulting in sharp pain or infection. After the claws are removed, the animal tends to shift its gait and where it places most of its weight, causing strain on its leg joints and spine, which can lead to early onset arthritis and prolonged back and joint pain. Declawed cats often develop behavioral problems that lead to their being surrendered to animal shelters where they are, for the most part, not adoptable.
Declawing is currently banned in nearly 10 cities in California and in many countries around the world, including Switzerland, Israel and the U.K.. This bill seeks to ban such practice in New York State.
Legislative history
2015-16 - S. 5084a/A. 1297a - Ag Committee.
Fiscal implications
Undetermined.
Effective date
Immediate.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.