What Major Leaps Has Ontario Made in Animal Welfare?
We are only halfway through 2026, and your compassion and advocacy have already helped secure major victories for animals across Ontario, proving that when people raise their voices for animals, meaningful change follows.
Just recently, Ontario banned invasive testing on cats and dogs, and unnecessary cosmetic procedures like declawing, devocalization and ear cropping — beginning 2027.
These changes reflect our community’s conviction that animals deserve protection from pain and suffering. They also demonstrate that Ontario is willing to modernize animal welfare laws to align with current science, veterinary expertise and evolving public expectations.
I know that for many pet owners in Ottawa, cats and dogs are beloved family members. By ending invasive testing on these animals, the province has taken an important step toward reducing suffering and encouraging the development of more humane alternatives.
The upcoming ban on ear cropping, declawing, and debarking acknowledges that procedures performed for appearance or convenience should not come at the expense of an animal's welfare.
These victories are worth celebrating, but now is the time to keep fighting for animals.
The upcoming ban on cosmetic procedures has a critical gap in not banning unnecessary tail docking. Like ear cropping, tail docking permanently alters a dog's body. A dog's tail plays an important role in communication, balance, and movement. Yet puppies can still undergo this painful procedure — for appearance’s sake alone. We can’t continue to allow this.
Ontario has an incredible chance to build on this year's momentum by extending protections to include cosmetic tail docking — help make this happen!
You can sign our petition right now to have this key protection included in the upcoming ban.
Progress in animal welfare does not happen overnight. It is achieved through collaboration, evidence-based policy, and, most importantly, communities that speak up for animals.
2026 has shown what is possible when government, animal welfare organizations, veterinary professionals, and caring people work together. Ontario has taken important steps forward for animals — and with your continued commitment, we can ensure even more animals are protected in the years ahead.
Sharon Miko
President & CEO