                                 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.