BOSTON (WPRI) — It will soon officially be illegal to declaw a cat in Massachusetts. Gov. Maura Healey signed legislation Thursday that bans declawing and tendonectomy procedures on cats unless it is deemed medically necessary. ALSO READ: MSPCA seeks forever homes for cats rescued from hoarding situation Sen. Mark Montigny, D-New Bedford, sponsored the legislation and introduced it for the first time back in 2019. "I was stunned when I learned how traumatic the procedure is, and the fact that it was still being done," Montigny said. "Most people think of clipping and grooming as somehow being related to declawing until they're educated — it's like snipping off a finger at the knuckle." "That's what people should understand," he explained. "It causes tremendous trauma." (Leah Crowley/ WPRI-TV) The American Veterinary Association describes declawing as a "painful procedure" that can potentially lead to health complications and behavioral problems. Montigny is happy to take the decision to declaw a cat out of a veterinarian's hands. "Get a stuffed teddy bear if you want to have expensive couches that you're more worried about than you're animal," he said. The law will take effect in 90 days. Montigny said his goal for the declawing legislation is simple. "I hope it will never happen again," he said. Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup SIGN UP NOW