In a move that should have a lot of Manitoba cats purring, declawing has been officially banned in the province.
The controversial practice – formally known as non-medically necessary partial digital amputation – is a surgical operation to remove a cat’s claws by amputating the end bones of the animal’s toes.
Pet owners usually request the operation to prevent their cats from damaging furniture or clothing with their claws.
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The Manitoba Veterinary Medical Association (MVMA) joins its counterparts in five other Canadian provinces in banning the procedure – a trend that began with the Canadian Veterinary Medical Association calling non-therapeutic declawing “ethically unacceptable” in 2017.
“Manitoba now joins Canada’s other progressive provinces, and several cities and countries around the world, in banning a procedure to which the Canadian Veterinary Medical association is also opposed,” said MVMA council chair Dr. Jonas Watson.
“This is a good day indeed for the veterinary profession, and for animal welfare in general. It is an especially meaningful day for Manitoba’s cats themselves.”
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