Ontario bans cat declawing, dog devocalization, and ear cropping except for medical necessity

Plain-language summary · AI-assisted · not legal advice

A new regulation under Ontario's Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act formally prohibits three surgical procedures on companion animals: declawing (onychectomy) on cats, devocalization on dogs, and ear cropping on dogs. These procedures are now off-limits as routine or cosmetic practices. The only exception allows a veterinarian to perform one of these procedures if they determine it is medically necessary to treat an injury or disease, and they must document that determination in the animal's records. Veterinary clinics and animal owners should be aware that requesting or performing these procedures outside the medical exception exposes them to liability under the Act. Anyone currently offering or planning these procedures for non-medical reasons should review their practices immediately.

Who this affects: veterinarians and veterinary clinics · dog and cat owners · animal breeders · pet grooming and surgical service providers