Declawing cats debated by P.E.I. Veterinary Medical Association

P.E.I. veterinarians debated the practice of declawing cats on Saturday after a resolution to end the practice was brought to the group's annual meeting.

Island veterinarians stopped doing cosmetic surgery on dogs five years ago — deeming it unethical. Now new legislation will also ban the practice of tail and ear cropping as of early next year.

But veterinarians decided on the weekend to continue to allow the declawing of cats, for now, while sending the issue to a committee for more research.

"The declawing of cats is seen by many veterinarians as not a cosmetic procedure, but more as a functional one," said association registrar Dr. Gary Morgan.

"It's not performed for reasons of changing appearance. It's performed for, in some people's minds, reasons of safety or concern about damage to people or objects."

Morgan said some veterinarians are concerned that some owners will abandon their cats or have their cats put down if declawing is not offered.

People wanting to have their cats declawed may be offered alternatives to the procedure before it is performed, such as behaviour modification, trimming claws more often and using special paw covers.

The committee researching the issue will also research alternatives.