Today is a huge milestone for animal welfare in Ontario.

OVMA has long opposed medically unnecessary surgeries, and for nearly a decade we’ve actively advocated for the province to ban these procedures. We’re proud to share that Ontario has posted a regulation for a societal ban on medically unnecessary surgeries that will come into effect Jan. 1, 2027.

The ban will prohibit feline declawing, canine ear cropping and canine devocalization, while preserving veterinarians’ ability to determine when a procedure is medically necessary to treat injury or disease. This is meaningful progress for animal welfare and an important moment for the veterinary profession. Learn more here.

OVMA is pleased to see Ontario take this important step to put animal welfare at the centre of the decision. While we’re celebrating this meaningful progress, we’re disappointed that canine tail docking and dewclaw removal were not included in the ban. OVMA will continue to push for these procedures to be banned in the future.

Today, we’re taking a moment to recognize what veterinary advocacy can achieve. This is a big win, and one worth recognizing.