AB 867 could ban a cat-astrophic procedure known as declawing

BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KERO) — It’s natural for cats to claw and scratch objects like furniture. However, a common medical procedure called declawing removes this ability.

There’s a bill called AB 867 that could soon ban declawing in California. But what exactly is declawing?

“About like 25% of cats in America are declawed, unfortunately, but it’s a growing trend, luckily, that more vets are discouraging people from doing it,” said Assemblymember Alex Lee, who presented AB 867 .

An onychectomy, more commonly known as declawing, involves surgically amputating the third bone in each of a cat’s toes. This procedure removes the nail bed and claw.

“You’re taking away all its natural instincts to do what a cat does,” said Barbara Hays, president of The Cat People .

She explains it's a com