Ontario Just Made History for Animals - But Dogs Were Left Behind

For years, Ontario stood alone. While every other province in Canada moved to restrict or ban painful cosmetic procedures on animals, Ontario had no protections in place. That has finally begun to change - but the job isn't finished.

How We Got Here

The push to ban medically unnecessary veterinary procedures in Ontario has been years in the making. At the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, protecting animals is at the heart of everything we do - and that means speaking up when Ontario's laws fall short. Alongside organizations like the Ottawa Humane Society, Animal Justice, and Humane World for Animals, we called on the provincial government to act. Together, thousands of Ontarians signed petitions and submitted comments demanding change.

In late 2025, that pressure paid off. The province announced it would move forward with consultations on banning unnecessary veterinary procedures, with the process beginning in early 2026. Advocates were hopeful that the full list - including tail docking - would be addressed.

A Win - With a Gap

After the public consultation closed in February 2026, Ontario passed a regulation banning feline declawing, canine ear cropping, and canine devocalization, effective January 1, 2027. It is a landmark moment for animal welfare in this province, and a direct result of advocates - including you - speaking up.

But tail docking - removing a puppy's tail for appearance alone - was quietly dropped from the ban before it was even posted for public consultation.

No explanation was given. Ontario remains the only province in Canada with no restrictions on tail docking. At the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, we believe more can still be done to protect Ontario's animals. That's why we launched a petition to Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner - and we need your signature to keep the pressure on.

Why Tail Docking Must Be Banned

Tail docking involves the amputation of part or all of a dog's tail, typically performed to meet artificial breed standards. It can cause acute pain, risk of infection, and long-term complications including chronic pain and nerve damage. A dog's tail also plays an essential role in communication and balance - docking can impair a dog's ability to express stress or friendliness, increasing the risk of misunderstandings.

There is no medical justification for this procedure. Cats finally have the protection they deserve. Dogs deserve the same.

What You Can Do

At the Hamilton/Burlington SPCA, we are keeping pressure on Premier Doug Ford and Solicitor General Michael Kerzner to include tail docking in future amendments. Sign our petition and help us finish the job for Ontario's puppies.

Puppies can't speak for themselves. You can.

Sign The Petition