2026 New California Laws Declawing Cats Now Banned Unless Medically

2026 New California Laws Declawing Cats Now Banned Unless Medically California, usa — starting jan. 1, 2026, veterinarians will be prohibited from declawing cats unless the procedure is medically needed and benefits the cat’s health. California ab 867, signed october 2025 and effective january 1, 2026, bans cat declawing when not medically necessary — making california the most populous u.s. state with a statewide declawing ban. veterinarians performing non medical declawing face civil penalties.

2026 New California Laws Declawing Cats Now Banned Unless Medically Declawing will now only be allowed when medically necessary to treat a health condition, according to the legislation. Assemblymember alex lee, who authored the bill, has worked tirelessly to ensure that no cat in california will be subjected to this cruel practice unless it is medically necessary to address an underlying condition. California bans cat declawing under a new law signed by gov. gavin newsom, making the practice illegal except for medical necessity. Assemblymember alex lee’s legislation, ab 867, is a landmark and momentous achievement for animal welfare. the bill, which was signed by the governor, bans cat declawing in california, and it will take effect on january 1, 2026.

2026 New California Laws Declawing Cats Now Banned Unless Medically California bans cat declawing under a new law signed by gov. gavin newsom, making the practice illegal except for medical necessity. Assemblymember alex lee’s legislation, ab 867, is a landmark and momentous achievement for animal welfare. the bill, which was signed by the governor, bans cat declawing in california, and it will take effect on january 1, 2026. It is now illegal for veterinarians to declaw cats in california as a result of a new law banning the procedure. California became the first state to enact a near total ban on cat declawing with assembly bill 2954, effective january 1, 2025. the law prohibits surgical claw removal, onychectomy, and tendonectomy on cats except when performed for a “therapeutic purpose.”. Cat declawing is now banned in the state of california unless medically necessary. governor gavin newsom signed legislation banning cat declawing earlier this month. the decision was welcomed by animal welfare groups and other lawmakers. It is now illegal for veterinarians to declaw cats in california as a result of a new law banning the procedure.