Massachusetts Bans Declawing of Cats

Massachusetts has become the third state in the US to ban the declawing of cats, after New York and Maryland. The law, signed by Governor Maura Healey, will go into effect on the 8th of April 2025. Declawing, also known as onychectomy, is considered an inhumane practice that involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe and can lead to various medical and behavioral issues in cats. The law allows exceptions for medically necessary cases, such as in instances of nail bed cancer, with fines and possible punishment for those who break the law.

The campaign to pass this law began in 2019 and received support from Senator Mark Montigny and various animal rights groups. The ban on declawing is seen as a way to prevent needless pain and suffering for cats. Other countries and regions, such as Quebec in Canada, have also enacted similar regulations to protect companion animals from unnecessary cosmetic procedures.