Prohibiting the removal of claws from cats.

This bill, HB201, aims to stop the practice of declawing cats. Declawing involves removing a cat’s claws, which can cause pain and distress to the animal. The bill seeks to protect cats from unnecessary suffering by making this procedure illegal.

The bill would affect cat owners and veterinarians who perform declawing. If passed, it would make declawing a cat a violation of the law, potentially leading to fines or other penalties for those who continue the practice. This change could encourage more humane treatment of cats by promoting alternatives to declawing.

As of January 7, 2025, the bill has been introduced and referred to the Environment and Agriculture committee. On February 5, 2025, a majority committee report stated it was "inexpedient to legislate," but a minority committee report recommended it "ought to pass." The most recent significant event was on February 13, 2025, when the House voted that it was inexpedient to legislate on the matter, with 191 votes against and 177 in favor. This means the bill is currently not moving forward, but supporters may continue to advocate for its passage in future sessions.