New Jersey A4156 prohibits surgical declawing of cats and other animals unless medically necessary.

New Jersey A4156 makes it illegal to perform or cause to be performed an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure on a cat or other animal unless deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian. The bill defines "therapeutic purpose" as necessary to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the animal’s health. It does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal.

New Jersey A4156 prohibits surgical declawing of cats and other animals unless medically necessary.

New Jersey A4156 makes it illegal to perform or cause to be performed an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure on a cat or other animal unless deemed necessary for a therapeutic purpose by a licensed veterinarian. The bill defines "therapeutic purpose" as necessary to address the medical condition of the animal, such as an existing or recurring illness, infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in a claw that compromises the animal’s health. It does not include cosmetic or aesthetic reasons or reasons of convenience in keeping or handling the animal.