Elective declawing of cats prohibition

SF 1935 prohibits the elective declawing of cats in Minnesota, meaning it bans surgical removal of claws for cosmetic or convenience reasons (like making cats easier to handle). The bill allows declawing only for medically necessary procedures addressing infections, injuries, or health issues. It imposes civil penalties of $500 for a first violation, $1,000 for a second, and $2,500 for third or subsequent violations, recoverable by county attorneys or the state. This directly affects veterinarians performing such procedures and cat owners who might request elective declawing.