The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General plans to prohibit medically unnecessary procedures on dogs and cats under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act (PAWS Act).

This proposal includes prohibiting declawing of cats, debarking of dogs, and ear cropping, which are considered elective surgeries rather than medically necessary interventions.

Among the reasons for the proposed ban are to promote animal welfare by ensuring that alterations to natural anatomy are medically justified, to establish clear guidelines for practitioners, and to enable animal welfare inspectors to enforce the ban.

While the proposal would ban these procedures, licensed veterinarians would still be allowed to perform any procedure deemed necessary for an animal’s health and well-being.

The Ministry is inviting public feedback on the proposal, with comments due by February 5, 2026. There is no stated timeframe for when the ban would take effect.