Gov. Gavin Newsom signed a bill on Thursday to abolish cat declawing, making California one of few states to outlaw the practice.

AB 867 was written by state Assemblymember Alex Lee (D-Milpitas), who calls cat declawing inhumane.

"This important legislation shows our commitment to protecting our cat companions," Lee said in a statement. "After years of pushing to make this a reality, I'm proud to see California create a more compassionate society for our feline friends."

The purpose of declawing is to prevent cats from scratching other animals, humans, or household furniture. Since claws are one of a cat's primary defenses, removing them can lead to an increase in aggressive behaviors like biting, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

The procedure can be painful an

See Full Page