Non-essential surgery on pets now banned in Quebec
CTV
Quebec's "Regulation respecting the welfare and safety of domestic companion animals and equines", which comes into force this Saturday, aims to ban four surgeries that were previously permitted but strongly discouraged by the Quebec Order of Veterinarians (OMVQ): feline declawing, ear trimming, tail trimming and vocal cord removal.
Veterinarians in the province of Quebec are now prohibited from performing cosmetic surgery on pets.
The Regulation respecting the welfare and safety of domestic companion animals and equines, which comes into force this Saturday, aims to ban four surgeries that were previously permitted but strongly discouraged by the Quebec Order of Veterinarians (OMVQ): feline declawing, ear trimming, tail trimming and vocal cord removal.
OMVQ president Dr. Gaston Rioux welcomed the new legislation, saying that it reflected the fundamental values of the Order and of Quebec society with regard to animal welfare.
Rioux pointed out that many veterinary clinics had stopped practising feline declawing on the order's recommendations but that only the Quebec government had the power to formally ban it.
"This movement is not unique to Quebec. Worldwide, this is the type of surgery that is banned and also discouraged," he pointed out.
In Canada, Ontario is the only province that has not yet banned cat declawing. A provision in the new regulation prohibits anyone from travelling outside the province to have prohibited surgery performed on their pet.
The former president of the Order, Dr. Caroline Kilsdonk, pointed out that ear and tail clipping and vocal cord removal had not been performed by veterinarians in Quebec for several years but that it was still possible for non-veterinarians to perform these operations.
