June 23, 2025 –
California Anti-Declaw Bill AB 867 passed with a 10-0 vote by the California Senate Business, Professions, and Economic Development Committee. The bill would make nontherapeutic declawing illegal and was authored by State Assemblymember Alex Lee. Paw Project Director and Founder Dr. Jennifer Conrad and Dr. Barbara Hodges of Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance provided support testimony at the Committee hearing.
The bill passed the state Assembly on April 28, 2025 and must pass full Senate and be signed by the governor before becoming law.
The bill was opposed by the California Veterinary Medical Association and supported by The Paw Project (Sponsor), Animal Legal Defense Fund (Co-Sponsor), Humane Veterinary Medical Alliance (Co-Sponsor), Humane World for Animals (Co-Sponsor), Castillo Animal Veterinary Corp, Cat Town, City of West Hollywood, Conference of California Bar Associations, Crooked Tails Senior Rescue, Democrats for the Protection of Animals, Michelson Center for Public Policy, Our Honor, Patricia H. Ladew Foundation, SNAP CATS, Social Compassion in Legislation, VCA Canada, West Radiologic Services, Alley Cat Alliesm, Animal Advocates Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, Kitten Rescue, Laguna Woods Cat Club, Strategic Action for Animals and 42 veterinarians and other individuals.
