OVMA 420 Bronte Street South, Suite 205, Milton, Ontario L9T 0H9
T. 905.875.0756 or 1.800.670.1702 (toll-free) F. 905.875.0958 or 1.877.482.5941 (toll-free) info@ovma.org www.ovma.org
OVMA Position Statement – Cosmetic Surgery
OVMA opposes surgical alteration of any animal for purely cosmetic purposes.
Background:
OVMA believes that cosmetic surgery is unnecessary. Surgical alterations in cases of injury or
for reasons of health are not considered cosmetic. Examples of cosmetic procedures include:
tail docking in the equine, bovine, or canine species;
tail nicking/setting in the equine species;
ear cropping in canine species; and
onychectomy.
OVMA recommends that breed associations change their breed standards so that cosmetic
procedures are not required.
(April 26, 2017 Board)
