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File #: Int 0560-2026    Version: * Name: Prohibiting non-therapeutic, elective, or convenience surgical devocalization of healthy cats and dogs.
Type: Introduction Status: Committee
Committee: Committee on Environmental Protection and Waterfronts
On agenda: 2/12/2026
Enactment date: Law number:
Title: A Local Law to amend the administrative code of the city of New York, in relation to prohibiting non-therapeutic, elective, or convenience surgical devocalization of healthy cats and dogs
Sponsors: James F. Gennaro
Council Member Sponsors: 1
Summary: This bill would prohibit surgical devocalization of healthy cats and dogs for non-therapeutic purposes. Devocalization procedures would only be permitted when medically necessary and performed by a licensed veterinarian on a cat or dog under anesthesia. The penalty for performing a non-therapeutic devocalization procedure would be at least $1,000 or at most $2,500. A veterinarian who performs a non-therapeutic devocalization procedure would be subject to reporting by the Commissioner of Health and Mental Hygiene to the State Department of Education and Board of Regents for disciplinary action due to unprofessional conduct.