New California Laws Every Pet Owner Should Know

California has adopted two new laws aimed at protecting pets and giving consumers more information when purchasing an animal.

Both laws took effect January 1, 2026.

California Now Bans Non-Medical Cat Declawing

Under AB 867, California now prohibits the declawing of cats unless the procedure is medically necessary for the animal’s health.

Declawing is more than simply trimming a cat’s nails. The procedure can involve removing or altering part of a cat’s toes and can lead to pain, infection, or other complications.

Under the new law, a veterinarian may still perform a procedure involving a cat’s claws when it is necessary to treat a legitimate medical condition, such as:

• An infection

• An injury

• Disease

• An abnormal condition involving the claw, nail bed, or toe

However, declawing for convenience, cosmetic reasons, or to prevent a cat from scratching furniture is no longer allowed.

Regular nail trimming and other nonsurgical alternatives remain legal.

Official State Information:
https://www.gov.ca.gov/2025/10/09/governor-newsom-takes-action-to-end-the-puppy-mill-pipeline-protect-cats/

New Protections When Buying a Dog, Cat, or Rabbit

A second law, AB 506, is intended to increase transparency when Californians purchase pets and make it more difficult for irresponsible breeders or brokers to hide where an animal came from.

The law applies to the sale of dogs, cats, and rabbits in California.

Pet sellers must now provide buyers with written information about the animal’s background, including information about:

• The breeder or original source of the animal

• The state where the animal was born

• The breeder’s USDA license number, when applicable

• Vaccinations and inoculations

• Worming treatments

• Veterinary care

• Medications provided to the animal

If certain information is unknown, the seller generally must disclose that fact rather than simply leaving the information out.

Nonrefundable Deposits Are Also Restricted

AB 506 also prohibits pet sellers from requiring purchasers to pay a nonrefundable deposit.

This is intended to give consumers an opportunity to review information about an animal’s health and origin before feeling financially locked into a purchase.

Why This Matters

Many people looking for a new pet begin their search online. Unfortunately, an advertisement that appears to feature a locally raised puppy or kitten can sometimes involve an animal that was transported through multiple sellers or originated from a large-scale commercial breeding operation.

These new laws are designed to give consumers more transparency while strengthening protections for animals.

For Upland residents considering purchasing or adopting a pet, it is always a good idea to ask questions, obtain veterinary records, verify where the animal came from, and make sure you understand the terms of any payment or deposit before committing.

California’s new laws provide additional protections, but an informed buyer remains one of the best safeguards against irresponsible pet-selling practices.

Disclaimer: The Upland Update is an independent community resource and is not affiliated with the City of Upland. This is my personal initiative to keep residents and businesses informed about key issues, city developments, and community events that impact our daily lives. My goal is to ensure you have clear, transparent, and timely information to stay engaged and involved in shaping Upland’s future.

James Breitling

(909) 342-2523

info@theuplandupdate.com

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