Cat declawing bill passes California State Assembly
(KRON) — California's Democratic and Republican lawmakers are clashing over several bills in Sacramento this week. One issue, however, received bipartisan support Monday: protecting cat paws.
AB 867, authored by Assemblymember Alex Lee, aims to outlaw cat declawing statewide. The bill passed the California State Assembly floor with a unanimous 72-0 vote.
Removing a cat's claws involves amputating the toe bones or severing the tendon controlling its paws, according to Lee's office.
'Cat declawing is a cruel and barbaric surgical procedure that causes lifelong disfigurement and pain,' Lee said. 'Mutilating healthy cats merely for convenience is inhumane and unethical. It's the equivalent of removing a person's fingers at the top knuckle.'
Lee said he wrote the bill with inspiration from his own beloved cats, named Udon and Soba. Lee represents the 24th Assembly District, which includes the cities of Fremont, Newark, Milpitas, and San Jose.
AB 867 would prohibit the declawing of a cat unless a veterinarian performs the procedure for a medically necessary purpose that benefits the cat's health.
'Scratching is a natural cat behavior, and non-surgical alternatives are available to address inappropriate behaviors such as nail trimming, soft claw caps, and behavioral training,' Lee's office wrote.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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