Prohibiting the declawing of cats, and providing penalties

Where it is now

1. ✓
   Done: IntroducedJanuary 22, 2025
2. ✓
   Done: SubcommitteeJanuary 27, 2025
3. ✕
   Stopped: Senate committeeDied when the General Assembly ended
4. Next: Passes the Senate
5. Next: House committeeFunnel: by March 20, 2026
6. Next: Passes the House
7. Next: To the Governor
8. Next: Signed into law

Died when the session ended The General Assembly adjourned on October 2, 2026. Bills that didn’t pass both chambers died. What’s a funnel?

What’s in it

This bill prohibits a person from declawing a cat unless the procedure is performed by a licensed veterinarian for a therapeutic purpose (new Code chapter 169B). A person who violates the provision is subject to a range of civil penalties from $500 for an initial violation, $1,500 for a second violation within two years, and $2,500 for a third or subsequent violation within five years. The offense is punishable as a scheduled violation, in which the amount of the civil penalty is deposited into the general fund of the county, city, or state depending upon the enforcement officer’s jurisdiction.

From the explanation printed with the bill as introduced, written by the Legislative Services Agency. Amendments adopted later aren’t reflected. Full bill text

Senate subcommittee

Named January 27, 2025. It hasn’t reported yet.

• Sen. Dan Zumbach REmail
• Sen. Liz Bennett DEmail
• Sen. Dawn Driscoll REmail

Three legislators hear a bill first and recommend what the committee should do; it’s the best time to weigh in. How to take part

Iowa Code it changes

Creates§169B.1§169B.2§169B.3§169B.4

Amends§805.8C

Read from the bill as introduced. Each links to every bill touching that chapter of the Iowa Code. How the Code works

Family tree

Where this legislation came from and where it went: earlier tries, the versions it moved through this Assembly, and later bills built on it.

Earlier and later bills are matched by wording or an identical title; check the text to be sure it’s the same idea.

Tried before

This idea has been filed in an earlier General Assembly. None got through a chamber.

• SF 283 Prohibiting the declawing of cats, and providing penalties
  90th General Assembly · In committee · same title
  Cleared committee

Matched by the wording of each bill’s explanation, or an identical title. Companion bills and renumbered versions of this bill aren’t listed; they’re the same bill.