What's happening
This bill prohibits the declawing and descenting of ferrets in New York, except for necessary therapeutic reasons by a veterinarian.
Why it matters
Protects animal welfare by recognizing declawing and descenting as harmful procedures. The bill acknowledges that removing claws or scent glands from ferrets can cause pain, long-term health issues, and behavioral problems, shifting the focus toward the animal’s well-being rather than owner convenience.
Sets a clear medical standard for exceptions. Only allows these surgeries if genuinely necessary to treat illness, injury, or disease, and requires they be performed by a licensed veterinarian. This prevents use for cosmetic or convenience reasons, raising the standard of care for ferrets.
Imposes enforceable penalties to ensure compliance. By establishing a civil penalty of up to $1,000 for violations, the bill creates a deterrent against unnecessary and potentially cruel surgical procedures on ferrets.
Signals a broader trend in animal protection legislation. This law aligns with a growing movement to ban or restrict unnecessary animal surgeries, reflecting changing social attitudes toward the ethical treatment of pets and potentially influencing similar measures for other species or in other jurisdictions.
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Who cares
Headline styles
Ban Ferret Declawing, Descenting
Plain English, a few words. Used as the page title.
Sponsors
History
- Referred to codes
- Reported referred to rules
- Reported referred to codes
- Referred to agriculture
Full text
1 pageUnderlined is new[Struck] is removedOfficial text on nysenate.gov ↗
STATE OF NEW YORK
796
2025-2026 Regular Sessions
IN ASSEMBLY (Prefiled)
January 8, 2025
Introduced by M. of A. ROSENTHAL -- read once and referred to the Committee on Agriculture
AN ACT to amend the agriculture and markets law, in relation to prohibiting the declawing and descenting of ferrets
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 387 to read as follows:
§ 387. Prohibition of the declawing and descenting of ferrets. 1. For the purposes of this section, the following terms shall have the following meanings:
(a) "Ferret" shall mean the domestic species Mustela furo.
(b) "Declawing" shall mean a procedure, such as an onychectomy, tendonectomy or phalangectomy, to remove or prevent the normal function of the claws of a ferret.
(c) "Descenting" shall mean a procedure involving the surgical removal or destruction of the anal glands of a ferret.
(d) "Therapeutic purpose" shall mean the necessity to address the physical medical condition of a ferret, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition in the claw or anal glands that compromises such ferret's health. Therapeutic purpose shall not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling such ferret.
2. No person shall perform a declawing or a descenting procedure by any means on a ferret within the state of New York, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose and performed by a licensed veterinarian.
3. Any person who performs a declawing or descenting procedure on any ferret in the state of New York in violation of the provisions of subdivision two of this section 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.
LBD02680-01-5
Reflowed for reading: line numbers and page breaks removed. Cite the official text.
Summaries, headlines and scores are AI-generated from the official bill text. How we score bills. Source: NYS Open Legislation.