Declawing Cats to be Banned in Virginia

Richmond, Va. (Newsradiowrva.com) - Starting in July, veterinarians will not be allowed to declaw cats in Virginia unless there are “therapeutic” reasons to do so.

Gov. Glenn Youngkin signed a bill from Del. Marty Martinez that prohibits declawing procedures on cats by veterinarians.

The pending law has exceptions that include:

• To address an existing or recurring infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition in an animal’s claw, nail bed or toe bone that jeopardizes the animal’s health, and for which addressing the infection, disease, injury or abnormal condition is a medical necessity, as documented by a licensed veterinarian

• To protect the owner’s life or health, as documented by a licensed physician, when such owner has been diagnosed with an infection, disease, disorder or similar condition that could reasonably be expected to worsen if such owner were to be scratched by a cat