Gov. Gavin Newsom signed AB 867 into law, outlawing declawing cats in California unless medically necessary. ‘Declawing isn’t a nail trim, it’s a painful amputation,’ said Dr. Marilyn Kroplick of In Defense of Animals, celebrating the victory.
Authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, the bill followed years of campaigning by welfare groups against the controversial surgery, once common but now widely criticized for causing chronic pain and behavioral issues.
“Cat declawing, the amputation of the first knuckle of each cat’s toes, is an outdated, cruel, and unethical surgical procedure that results in lifelong disfigurement and pain.” – Assemblymember Alex Lee
Animal advocates like In Defense of Animals praised the law as a step toward ending unnecessary mutilation, with many calling for other states to follow suit.
Think twice before considering declawing – opt for humane alternatives like trimming nails or providing scratching posts to keep your home and cat happy.