Nova Scotia becomes first province to ban declawing of domestic cats

Nova Scotia has become the first province to ban medically unnecessary cat declawing, part of a worldwide movement against the practice.

The Nova Scotia Veterinary Medical Association decided Tuesday to amend its code of ethics to make the practice of elective and non-therapeutic declawing ethically unacceptable.

It will come into effect on March 15, 2018, following a three-month education period.

Dr. Frank Richardson, registrar of the association, said the decision follows years of discussion by veterinarians, surveys, public input, and a recent statement from the national association. The Canadian Veterinary Medical Association strengthened its stand against declawing domestic cats in March, saying the practice causes unnecessary and avoidable pain. Vets’ groups in many other provinces are having active discussions on the issue, Richardson said: “It’s on everybody’s radar.”

Richardson said while declawing was popular 20 years ago, fewer and fewer veterinarians have been willing to perform the procedure.

“The number is getting smaller and smaller each year. I think if we did nothing it would die off on its own,” he said.

Dr. Hugh Chisholm, a retired veterinarian who has been pushing for the change, said while some municipalities have enacted regulations against declawing, Nova Scotia becomes the first province or state in North America to declare the practice unethical.