Signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits declawing of cats.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an onychectomy, partial or complete phlangectomy, or tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat within the state, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose (Sec. 1).

• Defines “therapeutic purpose” as 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 (Sec. 1).

• Exempts cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat from the definition of “therapeutic purpose” (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if an individual is found guilty of performing an onychectomy, partial or complete phlangectomy, or tendonectomy procedure on a cat as a violation of this section, they will be punished by a civil penalty of no more than $1,000 dollars (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text

Vote Smart's Synopsis:

Vote to pass a bill that prohibits declawing of cats.

Highlights:

• Prohibits an onychectomy, partial or complete phlangectomy, or tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat within the state, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose (Sec. 1).

• Defines “therapeutic purpose” as 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 (Sec. 1).

• Exempts cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat from the definition of “therapeutic purpose” (Sec. 1).

• Specifies that if an individual is found guilty of performing an onychectomy, partial or complete phlangectomy, or tendonectomy procedure on a cat as a violation of this section, they will be punished by a civil penalty of no more than $1,000 dollars (Sec. 2).

Full Bill Text