MA Bans Cat Declawing; Sales of Young Puppies and Kittens
Dakin Humane Society salutes Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, who has signed bills to outlaw the declawing of cats in Massachusetts, prohibit the sale of young kittens and puppies under eight weeks of age, and ban the roadside sale of animals.
Declawing Banned
The procedure to declaw a cat involves the removal of the nails as well as the tip of a cat’s toe, and is meant to prevent felines from scratching rugs, furniture and other items and surfaces. Far from ending problems, declawing often introduces new ones. It can cause lasting physical and behavioral problems for your feline, and increases the chances of back pain, litter box aversion and biting.
The law targets declawing for “reasons of convenience.” Veterinarians will still be able to declaw a cat in response to therapeutic or medical issues such as infection, disease, or “abnormal” conditions in the claws, nail bed or toe bone.
Massachusetts has now become the fourth state to ban declawing, following New York, Maryland and Virginia in 2024. In 2023, Washington, D.C. imposed a ban.
Sale of Young Animals/Roadside Sales Banned
While shelters and pet shops are already prevented from adopting out or selling puppies or kittens under eight weeks of age, this new law furthers that ban to include everyone. It has been well-documented that separating young animals from their mothers and littermates too early often leads to health and/or behavioral problems, including dog biting, which could ultimately become a public safety threat.
Anyone who attempts to sell cats and dogs from “any roadside, public right-of-way, parkway, median, park or other recreational area, flea market or other outdoor market or commercial or retail parking lot” will also be in violation of the new law. A first offense comes with a fine of up to $50, followed by a fine of up to $100 for a second offense. Subsequent fines are capped at $300.
The roadside sale prohibition does not apply to the transfer of dogs and cats to licensed shelters, animal rescue organizations or municipal animal control facilities. It also doesn’t impact the display of dogs and cats at a fair exhibition or 4-H program.