                                 CODE OF VIRGINIA

DECLAWING CATS; PROHIBITION (§ 54.1-3814)

A. As used in this section:
			&#8220;Cat&#8221; means any domesticated species of the family Felidae and
does not include any wild or nonnative species of the family Felidae.
			&#8220;Declawing procedure&#8221; 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. &#8220;Declawing
procedure&#8221; does not include nail filing, nail trimming, or the placement
of temporary nail caps on one or more claws of a cat.
			&#8220;Therapeutic purpose&#8221; means any action intended (i) to address an
existing or recurring infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in an
animal&#8217;s claw, nail bed, or toe bone that jeopardizes the animal&#8217;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&#8217;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,
&#8220;owner&#8221; includes members of the owner&#8217;s household.
&#8220;Therapeutic purpose&#8221; does not include any action performed for
cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in the keeping or
handling of a cat.

B. 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.

HISTORY: 2024, c. 748.