08-04-2025
These new laws go into effect in Massachusetts that help protect pets
CHICOPEE, Mass. (WWLP) – Governor Healey approved two new laws this year that help protect pets beginning that go into effect on Tuesday.
In Massachusetts, new laws go into effect on a date specified in the text of the bill, or 90 days after Governor Healey signs the final version. The laws enacted under Governor Healey this year, 'An Act providing for the humane protection of animals' and 'An Act prohibiting inhumane feline declawing,' were approved on January 8th making them in effect on April 8th.
Bills going into effect in 2025 in Massachusetts
The Act providing for the humane protection of animals prohibits the sale, offer to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease or transfer for permanent physical placement a dog or cat that is less than 8 weeks of age. Those found in violation face a fine of not more than $100.
In addition, this new law also states that dogs and cats cannot be sold, offered to sell, exchange, trade, barter, lease or transferred on any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park or other recreation area, flea market or other outdoor market or commercial or retail parking lot. The state implemented the following fines if found in violation:
Not more than $50 for a first offense
Not more than $100 for a second offense
Not more than $300 for each subsequent offense
MSPCA Angell is a supporter of these new laws and said, 'Selling animals at such young ages can result in behavioral and health problems—problems that can make the animals more difficult to adopt out, creating further challenges for already overcrowded shelters. Additionally, the measure bans the sale of animals in parks, outdoor markets, and parking lots, which previously resulted in some consumers buying sick animals with no recourse for those who sold them.'
The Act Prohibiting Inhumane Feline Declawing bans cats from being declawed, except in rare situations such as cancer in the nail bed or other conditions that jeopardize the cat's health.
In a statement from MSPCA Angell to 22News, 'The practice is akin to amputating a person's fingertips at the first knuckle, and frequently causes serious pain and behavioral problems for the cats involved. Beyond the pain of recovery and healing, it is estimated that roughly half of declawed cats experience complications after the surgery. Plus, the behavioral issues that may arise often push families to surrender their cats.'
The state implemented fines of not more than $1,000 for a first offense, $1,500 for a second offense, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent offense.
Cat declawing is a surgical procedure that can cause lifelong medical issues, such as permanent disability, nerve damage, chronic back pain, and lameness. This is a surgical procedure that removes the last bone in a cat's toes.
Declawing can also cause behavioral effects in cats, as it removes their ability to use their claws to scratch, stretch, and mark territory. Some cats that have been declawed resort to biting, which can lead to infections in humans, to defend themselves since they can't with their claws.
All of these issues can make it more likely for cars to be surrendered to shelters.
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