In an enormous victory for cats and cat lovers in America, California is set to become the 7th US State to officially ban declawing cats, a cruel and unnecessary procedure that is illegal in most developed countries. It has been a long and difficult road, but the bill put forward in February 2025 by Assemblymember Alex Lee¹ has passed the assembly floor with bipartisan support, and is on its way to the Governor’s desk for final approval.

Interestingly, the official opposition to this barbaric practice has Californian origins, with West Hollywood being the first US city to ban de-clawing in 2003, followed by another seven cities. In 2019, New York was the first to ban the practice at a statewide level, eventually joined by Maryland, Washington DC, Virginia, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts. While this momentous occasion is worthy of celebration, it means there are still 43 states where declawing can be legally carried out. But, as a single pebble can cause widespread ripples, we can hope that this is just the start of a nationwide movement.

What’s So Bad About De-Clawing?

Contrary to what some might believe, declawing cats is quite different from a humble nail trim. Also referred to as onychectomy, the declawing procedure involves the amputation of the bone at the tip of the digits, from which the claw grows, sometimes just on the front paws, but often on all four. For humans, this would be the equivalent of removing the entire fingertip that houses the nail. While de-clawing may stop cats from scratching their owners or damaging their furniture, it also leaves them crippled and unable to engage in the natural behaviors of stretching, scratching, and gripping surfaces.

The procedure made feline ownership much more convenient, and its popularity across the country grew to the point that it was once regarded as a basic part of cat care rather than the cruel and unnecessary surgical procedure it is. Fortunately, increasing awareness of what declawing involves, and its harmful, even debilitating effects, has sparked opposition from pet lovers and animal advocates, and few veterinary schools still teach onychectomy.

43 To Go

The race is now on, and no state will want to be the last to outlaw declawing. Many cities across the country have already banned the procedure, with several states poised to introduce similar bills. Through education and increasing awareness, we are hopeful that the fifty US states may soon become united on this matter, at least.

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