Rhode Island Becomes Latest U.S. State to Ban Cat Declawing

In a move hailed by animal welfare advocates, Rhode Island has officially banned the declawing of cats, becoming the fourth U.S. state to do so. Signed into law by Governor Dan McKee on July 2, 2025, the legislation prohibits the declawing of cats for non-therapeutic purposes—ending a practice long criticized as inhumane and unnecessary. …

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Paws Off! California Could Make Declawing Cats Illegal

California has its claws out as lawmakers push to ban cat declawing statewide. California is taking a significant step toward banning the controversial practice of cat declawing, positioning itself to become the third U.S. state to outlaw the procedure. The proposed legislation, currently under review in the California State Assembly, aims to prohibit elective …

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Why do people think declawing a cat is inhumane but neutering is not? Isn’t neutering more painful?

63 jurisdictions ban cat declawing as at Dec 2023

Well, it is a question that of often asked. But the answer is clear and to be honest obvious. Neutering is necessary sadly as without sterilising domestic cats there would be even more homeless cats, more misery and more shelter killings. Declawing is entirely unnecessary as there are alternative ways. Also declawing can cause …

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Governor of the state of Virginia is about to sign off a ban on cat declawing

The legislature of the US state of Virginia has debated a ban on cat declawing and it is before the Governor for signing off

The Virginia Mercury online newspaper tells me that the legislature of Virginia has debated a ban on cat declawing under House Bill 1354: Prohibiting declawing cats. This is very welcome news to people like me as anybody who reads this website will know. The bill is before the governor for signing off as I …

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Québec bans cat declawing and three other non-therapeutic animal surgeries

Banned surgical procedures in Quebec are feline declawing, ear trimming, tail trimming and removal of vocal cords

NEWS AND VIEWS: By Québec banning cat declawing – a great step in promoting animal welfare – it leaves the province of Ontario, Canada, as the only jurisdiction where cat declawing is now legal in that country. RELATED: 63 jurisdictions specifically ban cat declawing (Dec 2023) Canada is miles ahead of America in terms …

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Commonwealth of Massachusetts Bill S.222 An Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing

I hate cat declawing as it is very cruel and completely unnecessary 99.9% of the time

Yippee! 😁💕This news has put a big smile on my face and on the faces of millions of animal advocates in America (and around the world). The legislators of Massachusetts are debating a ban on cat declawing and it looks good for cats and animal advocates. What I mean is that the bill has …

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63 jurisdictions specifically ban cat declawing (Dec 2023)

63 jurisdictions ban cat declawing as at Dec 2023

There are 63 jurisdictions where cat declawing is specifically banned in their legislation. You can almost certainly count in many more because umbrella animal welfare laws would ban cat declawing for non-therapeutic purposes. The 63 jurisdictions where declawing is banned would allow declawing for therapeutic i.e. for health reasons. That’s an important point. Tacoma, …

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American veterinarian criticises fellow vets for doing non-essential surgery such as declawing and tail docking

Dr Mike Petty DVM

Michael Petty DVM is a graduate of the veterinary school of Michigan State University. He owns the Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital. In an article which has been posted on Facebook, he criticises his fellow veterinarians for conducting non-essential surgery: cat declawing, dog tail docking and ear cropping. It is very rare for a veterinarian …

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