# Illinois SB0257: CAT DECLAWING ACT

Illinois SB0257, CAT DECLAWING ACT, is a 104th General Assembly (2025–2026) Senate bill sponsored by Linda Holmes (Democratic); status in committee, last action 2025-02-24 (Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz) (as of 2026-11-01).

- Canonical: https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB0257-2025-2026
- As of: 2026-11-01
- Plain-text twin of the page above; the HTML and this file carry the same facts.

## Facts
- Bill: Illinois SB0257
- State: Illinois
- Session: 104th General Assembly (2025–2026)
- Title: CAT DECLAWING ACT
- Status: in committee
- Chamber: Senate
- Introduced: 2025-01-22
- Last action: 2025-02-24, Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz
- Sponsor: Linda Holmes (Democratic)
- Cosponsors: 1
- Subjects: assignments
- Touches household money: no
- Economic provisions PRIA read: 0

## Summary

Creates the Cat Declawing Act. Provides that, except as otherwise provided in the Act, a person may not request or perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or a tendonectomy on any cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws to prevent or impair the normal function of the cat's toes, claws, or paws. Authorizes a veterinarian, for a medically necessary and therapeutic purpose, to perform surgical claw removal, declawing, or tendonectomy on a cat or otherwise alter a cat's toes, claws, or paws. Contains enforcement provisions. Effective 90 days after becoming law.

## Bill overview

No economic impacts identified for this bill.

## Sponsors and cosponsors

- Sponsor: Linda Holmes (Democratic), Senate
- Cosponsor: Sara Feigenholtz (Democratic), Senate

## Actions (4)

- 2025-02-24: Added as Chief Co-Sponsor Sen. Sara Feigenholtz (Senate)
- 2025-01-22: Referred to Assignments (Senate)
- 2025-01-22: First Reading (Senate)
- 2025-01-22: Filed with Secretary by Sen. Linda Holmes (Senate)

## Bill text

- Introduced: [PDF](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB0257.pdf)

## Related bills

- HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS (passed house)
- SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS (passed senate)
- HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY (in committee)
- HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT (in committee)
- SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL (passed senate)
- SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION (signed)

## Sources
- [Introduced (PDF)](https://www.ilga.gov/documents/legislation/104/SB/PDF/10400SB0257.pdf)

## Related
- [HB5198: AFFORDABLE HOUSING-CILAS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB5198-2025-2026)
- [SB1937: PENSION CODE-VARIOUS](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB1937-2025-2026)
- [HB2563: CONDO-RESERVE STUDY](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB2563-2025-2026)
- [HB4701: LIMITATIONS FACILITY FEES ACT](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-HB4701-2025-2026)
- [SB3008: DHS-ABLE PROGRAM INFO MATERIAL](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3008-2025-2026)
- [SB3484: VEH CD-PLATES-REGISTRATION](https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB3484-2025-2026)
- [Illinois bills](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois/bills)
- [Illinois state hub](https://policyrisk.com/states/illinois)
- [All state legislation](https://policyrisk.com/state-bills)

Source: PRIA, https://policyrisk.com/state-bill/IL-SB0257-2025-2026 (as of 2026-11-01).