N.Y. Agriculture & Markets Law § 381: Prohibition of the declawing of cats

§ 381. Prohibition of the declawing of cats. 1. No person shall

perform an onychectomy (declawing), partial or complete phalangectomy or

tendonectomy procedure by any means on a cat within the state of New

York, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose. Therapeutic

purpose means the necessity to address the physical medical condition of

the cat, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease,

injury or abnormal condition in the claw that compromises the cat's

health. Therapeutic purpose does not include cosmetic or aesthetic

reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the cat.

2. Any person who performs an onychectomy, partial or complete

phalangectomy or tendonectomy procedure on any cat within the state of

New York in violation of the provisions of subdivision one of this

section shall be punishable by a civil penalty not to exceed one

thousand dollars.