Three more cities approve declaw bans

California -- Three more California cities officially have banned declawing, bringing the grand total to six cities making some kind of move against the practice.

Calif. outlaws tail docking of cattle, horses

Sacramento, Calif. -- Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger signed into law a bill making cattle and horse tail docking illegal in California.

Schwarzenegger vetoes two animal welfare bills

Sacramento, Calif. -- Bipartisan support in the California Legislature was not enough to save two animal-welfare laws from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's veto.

Big Easy considers mandatory spay/neuter bill

New Orleans -- Another municipal mandatory spay/neuter and breeding-restriction ordinance is under consideration, this time in New Orleans.

VSIA addresses veterinary service shortage

Washington -- The Veterinary Services Investment Act (VSIA), which will establish grants to confront veterinary-service shortages, was introduced by U.S. Senators Debbie Stabenow (D-Mich.) and John Thune (R-S.D.).

Santa Monica eyes declaw ban ahead of new state rule

Santa Monica has joined San Francisco in trying to limit declawing before a new state law takes effect Jan. 1.

New Pa. law allows only DVMs to perform cosmetic surgeries, other procedures

Harrisburg, Pa. -- Gov. Edward Rendell yesterday signed into law a measure permitting only veterinarians to perform ear cropping and tail docking of dogs at least 5 days old, plus devocalization procedures, cesarean deliveries and declawing of cats at least 5 days old.

The new anti-cruelty law is an amendment to HB 2525, enacted last October, that established space and facility requirements for cages, exercise and mandatory semi-annual veterinary examinations for dogs housed in commercial breeding kennels. It also outlawed the euthanization of dogs by anyone other than a veterinarian.

The law and the new amendment were sponsored by State Rep. Thomas Caltagirone in response to a publicized case of two brothers who killed 80 dogs at their breeding facility instead of making improvements ordered by a state health inspector.

Ill. to offer $20k to large-animal vet students

Illinois is one of the newest states offering student loan assistance with a new $20k annual offer.

N.C. lawmakers put the squeeze on reptile owners

Snakes that squeeze and venomous reptiles must now be kept under lock and key in North Carolina.