The bill amends Chapter 4-1 of the General Laws, titled "Cruelty to Animals," by introducing a new section that prohibits the declawing of cats through any surgical procedure that involves the amputation or modification of a cat's paw to remove its claws. The bill defines "declawing" as an onychectomy or any other surgical procedure to remove the cat's claws, excluding the trimming of nonviable claw husk or the placement of nonpermanent nail caps. It also defines "tendonectomy" as a procedure that impairs the normal functioning of a cat's claws by cutting or modifying the tendons in the limbs, paws, or toes.

The bill states that it is unlawful for any person to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or tendonectomy on any cat, or to otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair their normal function, except when performed solely for a therapeutic purpose. A "therapeutic purpose" is defined as a medically necessary procedure to address an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, or toe bone that compromises the cat's health, and does not include procedures performed for cosmetic or aesthetic reasons.

The prosecution and disciplinary procedures for violations of this section will follow existing legal frameworks as outlined in sections 5-25-9 and 5-25-15. This act is set to take effect on September 1, 2025.