{"formats":[{"name":"JSON","format":"json","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-json\/54.1-3814.json"},{"name":"Plain Text","format":"text","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-text\/54.1-3814.txt"},{"name":"XML","format":"xml","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-xml\/54.1-3814.xml"},{"name":"HTML","format":"html","url":"\/downloads\/2025\/code-html\/54.1-3814.html"}],"law_id":78406,"edition_id":1,"section_id":78406,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3814","catch_line":"Declawing cats; prohibition","history":"2024, c. 748.","full_text":"A\n\nAs used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Cat” means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae.\n\t\t\t“Declawing procedure” means (i) an onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a phalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit of a cat in order to remove a claw; (ii) a tendonectomy or any other procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat in order to prohibit the normal movement of a claw; or (iii) any procedure that prevents the normal functioning of one or more claws of a cat. “Declawing procedure” does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement of temporary nail caps on one or more claws of a cat.\n\t\t\t“Therapeutic purpose” means any action intended (i) 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, or (ii) 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. For purposes of this definition, “owner” includes members of the owner’s household. “Therapeutic purpose” does not include any action performed for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in the keeping or handling of a cat.B\n\nIt is unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine to perform a declawing procedure on a cat, except such person may perform such a procedure if it is necessary for a therapeutic purpose.","order_by":null,"text":{"0":{"id":281019,"text":"As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Cat” means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae.\n\t\t\t“Declawing procedure” means (i) an onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a phalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit of a cat in order to remove a claw; (ii) a tendonectomy or any other procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat in order to prohibit the normal movement of a claw; or (iii) any procedure that prevents the normal functioning of one or more claws of a cat. “Declawing procedure” does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement of temporary nail caps on one or more claws of a cat.\n\t\t\t“Therapeutic purpose” means any action intended (i) 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, or (ii) 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. For purposes of this definition, “owner” includes members of the owner’s household. “Therapeutic purpose” does not include any action performed for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in the keeping or handling of a cat.","type":"section","prefixes":["A"],"prefix":"A","entire_prefix":"A","prefix_anchor":"A","level":1,"next_prefix":"B"},"1":{"id":281020,"text":"It is unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine to perform a declawing procedure on a cat, except such person may perform such a procedure if it is necessary for a therapeutic purpose.","type":"section","prefixes":["B"],"prefix":"B","entire_prefix":"B","prefix_anchor":"B","level":1,"prior_prefix":"A"}},"ancestry":[{"id":14647,"edition_id":1,"name":"Veterinary Medicine","identifier":"38","label":"chapter","depth":3,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12758,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:49:08","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:49:08","permalink":{"id":244139,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":14647,"identifier":"38","token":"54.1\/III\/38","url":"\/54.1\/III\/38\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12758,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations Regulated by Boards Within the Department of Health Professions","identifier":"III","label":"subtitle","depth":2,"order_by":1,"parent_id":12754,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":241105,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12758,"identifier":"III","token":"54.1\/III","url":"\/54.1\/III\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}},{"id":12754,"edition_id":1,"name":"Professions and Occupations","identifier":"54.1","label":"title","depth":1,"order_by":1,"parent_id":null,"metadata":{},"date_created":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","date_modified":"2026-06-26 03:43:51","permalink":{"id":239313,"object_type":"structure","relational_id":12754,"identifier":"54.1","token":"54.1","url":"\/54.1\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1}}],"structure_contents":[{"id":86600,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3800","catch_line":"Practice of veterinary medicine","url":"\/54.1-3800\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3800","metadata":false},{"id":62527,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3801","catch_line":"Exceptions","url":"\/54.1-3801\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3801","metadata":false},{"id":59574,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3802","catch_line":"Board of Veterinary Medicine; appointment; officers; etc","url":"\/54.1-3802\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3802","metadata":false},{"id":56223,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3803","catch_line":"Nominations","url":"\/54.1-3803\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3803","metadata":false},{"id":61824,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3804","catch_line":"Specific powers of Board","url":"\/54.1-3804\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3804","metadata":false},{"id":76352,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3804.1","catch_line":"Expired","url":"\/54.1-3804.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3804.1","metadata":false},{"id":68519,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3805","catch_line":"License required","url":"\/54.1-3805\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3805","metadata":false},{"id":68948,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3805.1","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3805.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3805.1","metadata":false},{"id":73261,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3805.2","catch_line":"Continuing education","url":"\/54.1-3805.2\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3805.2","metadata":false},{"id":68436,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3805.3","catch_line":"Traineeships","url":"\/54.1-3805.3\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3805.3","metadata":false},{"id":61100,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3806","catch_line":"Licensed veterinary technicians","url":"\/54.1-3806\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3806","metadata":false},{"id":71910,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3806.1","catch_line":"Disclosure forms required","url":"\/54.1-3806.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3806.1","metadata":false},{"id":71328,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3807","catch_line":"Refusal to grant and to renew; revocation and suspension of licenses and registrations","url":"\/54.1-3807\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3807","metadata":false},{"id":86734,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3808","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3808\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3808","metadata":false},{"id":67713,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3809","catch_line":"Repealed","url":"\/54.1-3809\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3809","metadata":false},{"id":86705,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3810","catch_line":"Report of conviction or injunction to Board","url":"\/54.1-3810\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3810","metadata":false},{"id":57463,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3811","catch_line":"Veterinary professionals rendering services without charge exempt from liability","url":"\/54.1-3811\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3811","metadata":false},{"id":65614,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3812","catch_line":"Release of records","url":"\/54.1-3812\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3812","metadata":false},{"id":56784,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3812.1","catch_line":"Reporting of animal cruelty","url":"\/54.1-3812.1\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3812.1","metadata":false},{"id":57588,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3813","catch_line":"Registration of equine dental technicians","url":"\/54.1-3813\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3813","metadata":false},{"id":78406,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3814","catch_line":"Declawing cats; prohibition","url":"\/54.1-3814\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3814","metadata":false}],"previous_section":{"id":57588,"structure_id":14647,"section_number":"54.1-3813","catch_line":"Registration of equine dental technicians","url":"\/54.1-3813\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3813","metadata":false},"metadata":false,"official_url":"https:\/\/law.lis.virginia.gov\/vacode\/54.1-3814\/","history_text":"

This law was first created in 2024. The record of its establishment is cataloged in chapter 748<\/a> of that year\u2019s edition of \u201cActs of Assembly,\u201d the annual state publication listing all changes made to the Code of Virginia in that year.<\/p>","references":false,"refers_to":false,"permalink":{"id":244221,"object_type":"law","relational_id":78406,"identifier":"54.1-3814","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3814","url":"\/54.1-3814\/","edition_id":1,"permalink":0,"preferred":1},"url":"\/54.1-3814\/","token":"54.1\/III\/38\/54.1-3814","dublin_core":{"Title":"Declawing cats; prohibition","Type":"Text","Format":"text\/html","Identifier":"\u00a7 54.1-3814","Relation":"Code of Virginia"},"html":"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

A.<\/span> As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Cat<\/span>” means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae.\n\t\t\t“Declawing procedure<\/span>” means (i) an onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a phalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit of a cat<\/span> in order<\/span> to remove a claw; (ii) a tendonectomy or any other procedure that cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat<\/span> in order<\/span> to prohibit the normal movement of a claw; or (iii) any procedure that prevents the normal functioning of one or more claws of a cat<\/span>. “Declawing procedure<\/span>” does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement of temporary nail caps on one or more claws of a cat<\/span>.\n\t\t\t“Therapeutic purpose<\/span>” means any action intended (i) 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, or (ii) to protect the owner<\/span>’s life or health, as documented by a licensed physician, when such owner<\/span> has been diagnosed with an infection, disease, disorder, or similar condition that could reasonably be expected to worsen if such owner<\/span> were to be scratched by a cat<\/span>. For purposes of this definition, “owner<\/span>” includes members of the owner<\/span>’s household. “Therapeutic purpose<\/span>” does not include any action performed for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in the keeping or handling of a cat<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t

B.<\/span> It is unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine to perform a declawing procedure<\/span> on a cat<\/span>, except such person may perform such a procedure if it is necessary for a therapeutic purpose<\/span>. <\/i><\/a><\/p><\/section>","plain_text":" CODE OF VIRGINIA\n\nDECLAWING CATS; PROHIBITION (\u00a7 54.1-3814)\n\nA. As used in this section:\n\t\t\t“Cat” means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and\ndoes not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae.\n\t\t\t“Declawing procedure” means (i) an onychectomy, a dactylectomy, a\nphalangectomy, or any other procedure that removes a portion of the paw or digit\nof a cat in order to remove a claw; (ii) a tendonectomy or any other procedure\nthat cuts or modifies the tendon of the limb, paw, or digit of a cat in order to\nprohibit the normal movement of a claw; or (iii) any procedure that prevents the\nnormal functioning of one or more claws of a cat. “Declawing\nprocedure” does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement\nof temporary nail caps on one or more claws of a cat.\n\t\t\t“Therapeutic purpose” means any action intended (i) to address an\nexisting or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in an\nanimal’s claw, nail bed, or toe bone that jeopardizes the animal’s\nhealth, and for which addressing the infection, disease, injury, or abnormal\ncondition is a medical necessity, as documented by a licensed veterinarian, or\n(ii) to protect the owner’s life or health, as documented by a licensed\nphysician, when such owner has been diagnosed with an infection, disease,\ndisorder, or similar condition that could reasonably be expected to worsen if\nsuch owner were to be scratched by a cat. For purposes of this definition,\n“owner” includes members of the owner’s household.\n“Therapeutic purpose” does not include any action performed for\ncosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in the keeping or\nhandling of a cat.\n\nB. It is unlawful for any person engaged in the practice of veterinary medicine\nto perform a declawing procedure on a cat, except such person may perform such a\nprocedure if it is necessary for a therapeutic purpose.\n\nHISTORY: 2024, c. 748.","edition":{"id":1,"name":"2025","slug":"2025","date_created":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","date_modified":"2026-06-21 22:39:22","current":1,"order_by":1,"last_import":null}}