NewsABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsAugust 18, 2026Hillsborough
State Representative Rob Long plans to introduce legislation to ban elective cat declawing in Florida
State Representative Rob Long announced plans to introduce a bill during the 2027 Legislative Session that would prohibit elective cat declawing across Florida. The proposed legislation would allow the procedure only when deemed medically necessary by a veterinarian.
Read the full story at ABC Action News (WFTS) — NewsWhy It Matters
If passed, this law would legally restrict the types of surgical procedures available for cats in Florida, specifically prohibiting amputations performed for cosmetic or convenience reasons.
Key Facts
- State Rep. Rob Long intends to introduce a bill in the 2027 Legislative Session to ban elective cat declawing.
- The proposed ban would include an exception for procedures deemed medically necessary by a veterinarian.
- Declawing is defined in the proposal as the amputation of the last bone of a cat's toes.
- The proposal is an update to a 2020 bill originally introduced by former State Sen. Lauren Book.
- Five U.S. states (New York, Maryland, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and California) and all ten Canadian provinces have already banned declawing.
- The Paw Project claims that shelter intake numbers for cats declined in jurisdictions that implemented declaw bans.
- Major veterinary systems, including Banfield and VCA, no longer support elective declawing.
- Shelter officials report that declawed cats often require special accommodations, such as specific litter types and modified living spaces.
Who's Mentioned
personJanet Steele“Director of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control.”personRob Long“Florida State Representative planning to introduce the bill.”organizationAmerican Animal Hospital Association“Professional organization that discourages unnecessary declawing.”organizationThe Paw Project“Animal advocacy group supporting the ban.”organizationAmerican Veterinary Medical Association“Professional organization that discourages unnecessary declawing.”organizationPalm Beach County Animal Care and Control“Local animal shelter providing perspective on declawed cats.”personLauren Book“Former State Senator who introduced a similar bill in 2020.”