Animals: cats; certain medical procedures for declawing a cat; prohibit. Amends 1978 PA 368 (MCL 333.1101 - 333.25211) by adding sec. 18830.

HB 5209 prohibits veterinarians from performing declawing procedures (including onychectomy, phalangectomy, or tendonectomy) on cats unless medically necessary for the cat's health. It explicitly bans these procedures for cosmetic or convenience reasons, such as preventing scratching furniture. The law applies to all domestic cats and hybrid breeds (like Savannah or Bengal cats) and defines "therapeutic purpose" to include medical conditions like infections or injuries, but excludes aesthetic or handling preferences. This bill directly affects veterinarians and cat owners by restricting declawing to only life-threatening or severe health cases.