Expressing opposition to the use of onychectomy, also known as declawing, for elective surgery in cats.
Analysis under review: This bill has generated analysis that may be too generic or incomplete. Clause-level evidence remains available below.
Summary
What This Bill Does
This House Resolution expresses opposition to the practice of declawing (onychectomy) and tendonectomy when performed on cats for cosmetic, aesthetic, or convenience purposes. It recognizes that these procedures should only be performed when medically necessary to address an existing health condition such as infection, disease, injury, or abnormal condition in the claws, nail bed, or toe bone. The resolution urges state legislatures that have not yet banned elective declawing to consider doing so, and affirms the U.S. commitment to animal protection and welfare.
Who Benefits and How
- Cats are protected from unnecessary surgical procedures through increased awareness and legislative pressure
- Animal welfare organizations gain congressional support for their advocacy against declawing
- Veterinary professionals are encouraged to discourage the practice with vigor
Who Bears the Burden and How
- No material burdens are imposed by this non-binding resolution
- Veterinarians who currently perform elective declawing procedures would see reduced demand if states adopt bans
- Cat owners who prefer declawing for property protection or convenience would lose that option if states follow the resolution's urging
Key Provisions
- Non-binding resolution opposing cosmetic or elective declawing of cats
- Defines acceptable declawing as only for medically necessary therapeutic purposes
- Urges state legislatures to consider banning elective onychectomy and tendonectomy
- Encourages veterinary professionals to discourage the practice
- Affirms U.S. commitment to animal protection and welfare
Evidence Chain:
This summary is generated from the full bill text using AI analysis. Expand "Detailed Analysis" below for identified beneficiaries/burden bearers with clause-level evidence links.
At a Glance
What This Bill Does
Express the House of Representatives opposition to cosmetic or elective declawing of cats and urge states to consider banning the practice
Key Policy Areas
Animal Welfare, Public Health
Primary Purpose
Express the House of Representatives opposition to cosmetic or elective declawing of cats and urge states to consider banning the practice
Policy Domains
Opposition to Elective Cat Declawing
Identified Gains
- Animal welfare organizations
- Cats
Identified Costs
- Veterinarians performing elective declawing
- Cat owners who prefer declawing
Sponsors
Legislative Progress
In CommitteeReferred to the Subcommittee on Livestock, Dairy, and Poultry.
Mr. Nadler (for himself, Mr. Carson, Mr. Cleaver, Ms. Dean …
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
Submitted in House
Impact analysis is available but no clear stakeholder effects identified. View clause-level analysis →
Bill Structure & Actor Mappings
Who is "The Secretary" in each section?
- "United_States"
- → Affirms commitment to animal protection
- "state_legislatures"
- → Urged to consider banning elective declawing
- "House_of_Representatives"
- → Expresses opposition and urges state action
- "veterinary_professionals"
- → Encouraged to discourage declawing
Key Definitions
Terms defined in this bill
We use a combination of our own taxonomy and classification in addition to large language models to assess meaning and potential beneficiaries. High confidence means strong textual evidence. Always verify with the original bill text.
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