Have Your Say: Ontario Seeks Feedback on Record-Keeping Rules for Animal-Procedure Prohibitions Taking Effect January 1, 2027

As Ontario prepares to implement restrictions on ear cropping and devocalization in dogs, and declawing in cats beginning January 1, 2027, the Ministry of the Solicitor General is seeking feedback on proposed record-keeping requirements related to these restrictions.  

Under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services Act, 2019, the proposed requirements outline the records that: 

• Veterinarians must keep when performing a prohibited procedure under a permitted exception, and  

• Animal owners must keep if they cause an animal to undergo or come into possession of an animal that has undergone a prohibited procedure. 

The Ministry proposes the following record-keeping requirements: 

Content of Records 

• Records would include identifying information for the animal and owner, details of the procedure and date performed, the facility and veterinarian involved, and the clinical reason the procedure was considered necessary to treat an injury or disease. 

Retention & Transfer of Records:  

• Veterinarians would keep the animal’s medical record for five years from the date of the last entry, or until two years after they cease practicing veterinary medicine, whichever occurs first. 

• Owners would keep the relevant records for as long as they own the animal. If ownership is transferred, the current owner would provide the records to the new owner. 

Animals with No Known Medical History 

• The ministry recognizes that different documentation may be needed when a person comes into possession of an animal that has undergone a prohibited procedure but has no known medical history. 

Complete details can be viewed via the Ontario Regulatory Registry page. 

How to Share Your Feedback 

1. Review the proposal on the Ontario Regulatory Registry. 

2. You can provide feedback through one or both of the following methods: 

• Answer the key questions for feedback through the survey linked to the proposal.  

• Click on “Comment on this proposal” at the top of the screen to provide your feedback as a comment or a document. 

Deadline: Please submit your feedback by October 16, 2026. 

If you have any questions or would like to share your thoughts with us, please contact [email protected].