Santa Barbara Humane Clears Up Cat Declawing Law Confusion
Patricia Martellotti
SANTA BARBARA, Calif. (KEYT) – California’s new cat declawing ban is sparking worry among some pet owners, but Santa Barbara Humane wants to set it straight: regular nail trims are still in the clear.
Under AB 867, declawing cats is now illegal in California except when a veterinarian deems it medically necessary.
“ Cats need their claws if they go indoor outdoor it’s really important for them to have them for self-defense but even an indoor only cat it’s part of their body,” said chief veterinary officer Dr. Katie Marrie of Santa Barbara Humane.
The law now limits the procedure to cases involving injury, infection, or disease.
“But it’s also just a normal thing for them. If anybody has a cat at home, they know they see the meeting and scratching on different things that they provide them to do that normal behavior,” said Marrie.
This change puts animal welfare first while preserving necessary treatment.
Some pet owners still have questions about what’s allowed — including whether routine nail trimming is affected.
“They can still trim their cat toenails … they can do it themselves. They can go through a veterinarian or a groomer that provides that service,” said director of shelter services Sandy Simmons of Santa Barbara Humane.
If you’re wondering how to safely trim your cats claws, the Santa Barbara Humane team is here to help seven days a week.
“If a cat is scratching your couch, you wanna put a scratching post of a different fabric there. If it’s both sides then they get one of each spot they’re scratching and giving them proper enrichment,” said Simmons.
Santa Barbara Humane helps owners feel confident caring for their pets through education and support.
“My hope is people really do take the cats in the consideration and that they are still an animal and need their natural kind of abilities,” said Simmons.
The new law aims to protect cats — and strengthen the bond between pets and the people who love them.
From nail trims to education on scratching behavior, Santa Barbara Humane aims to keep pets comfortable — and keep misconceptions about the new law from spreading.