New York became the first state in the nation to ban cat declawing on Monday when Gov. Andrew Cuomo signed a bill outlawing the practice that was passed by lawmakers in June.

“It’s a cat-tastic day for the felines of New York and the many people who love them,” purred cat mom and bill sponsor Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal (D-Manhattan), who has carried the bill since 2015.

“Cat declawing is a cruelty, and given the availability of low-cost and pain-free alternatives, it’s totally unnecessary, most often performed to protect people’s furniture from cats’ scratching. Now that my bill has become law, New York has been catapulted onto the leader-board of humane states, and I expect other states to quickly follow suit.”

Cities including Denver and Los Angeles have similarly banned the practice, but no states have adopted such laws.

Claw-cutters now face a $1,000 fine, though declawing is still allowed if it is medically necessary.

Fur lovers argue declawment leads to physical pain and in some cases depression — altering the felines’ behavior and gait.

“The declawing of cats is an outdated, inhumane practice and we expect other states to follow New York’s lead,” New York’s Director for the Humane Society Brian Shapiro said in a statement.

The law took effect immediately.