Position Statements

The CVMA National Issues Committee (NIC) and Animal Welfare Committee (AWC) develop position statements on issues or matters judged to be of concern to CVMA Members. CVMA position statements are intended to:

  • Serve as guidelines and principles that address veterinary issues and the stewardship and welfare of animals.
  • Educate the public on the veterinary viewpoint on select issues.
  • Provide a “forward-thinking” viewpoint on issues based on what is happening, not just in Canadian society and the veterinary profession, but internationally.

Position statements are used by CVMA members, the public, and the media. Position statements are not intended to regulate the profession of veterinary medicine, however, provincial regulatory bodies may consider them when they update or amend veterinary bylaws.

Stages of Development

Identifying the Issues

The CVMA National Issues and Animal Welfares Committees review and monitor veterinary and animal welfare issues on an ongoing basis.

Issues that require a position are identified by these Committees and are recommended to Council for approval.

CVMA Council may also identify an issue on which it requests the Animal Welfare Committee or National Issues Committee to develop a position.

Consultation Process

Draft position statements are carefully drafted by committee members after literature review and expert consultation.

Arriving at the final draft version of a position statement may entail a number of iterations and months of work. Draft position statements are then:

  • Posted in the Position Statements section of the CVMA website to collect input from CVMA Members.
  • Provided to the provincial veterinary regulatory bodies with an invitation to comment.

Approval Process

All feedback on the draft position is taken into account when preparing a final draft version for CVMA Council’s approval.

Final draft versions of positions are reviewed by Council, and approved position statements are then posted on the CVMA website.

Current CVMA Position Statements

Position Statement Date Approved Under Review
Animal Sentience 2024-05-16
Animal Welfare at Auction Markets [Auction Barns, Livestock Markets] 2024-05-16
Animals in Entertainment and the Arts 2019-06-01
Animals in Sport and Competition 2019-07-16
Antimicrobial Stewardship in Veterinary Medicine 2021-01-21
Aquatic Animal Veterinary Medicine 2021-02-17
Artificial Intelligence in Veterinary Medicine 2023-10-12
Capture and Sourcing of Wild Animals for the Pet Trade 2024-08-13
Care of Neonatal Calves on Dairy Farms 2021-06-01
Castration of Cattle, Sheep, and Goats 2019-08-21
Castration of Piglets 2023-05-24
Complementary and Alternative Veterinary Medicine 2020-01-24
Cutting, Reduction, or Removal of Healthy Teeth in Dogs 2021-10-01
Decision-Making for Mass Depopulation of Domesticated Animals 2022-03-01
Elective and Non-Therapeutic Veterinary Procedures for Cosmetic or Competitive Purposes (Formerly Cosmetic Alteration) 2020-01-24
Electroejaculation of Ruminants 2019-05-01
Euthanasia 2021-09-28
Extra-Label Drug Use (ELDU) in Veterinary Medicine 2021-06-03
Free-roaming owned, Abandoned, and Feral Cats 2020-04-29
Horn Management of Cattle 2022-03-01
Horn Management of Small Ruminants 2023-05-08
Housing Systems for Laying Hens 2024-01-15
Humane Killing Of Seals In The Atlantic Seal Hunt 2021-10-06
Humane Mass Depopulation of Domesticated Animals 2021-06-01
Humane Slaughter of Farm Animals 2021-01-13
Humane Training of Dogs 2021-09-17
Importation of Dogs into Canada 2022-10-21
Induced Moulting of Poultry 2021-03-26
Keeping Wild (Native or Exotic) Animals as Pets 2022-03-01
Legislation Concerning Dangerous Dogs 2022-02-25
Microchip Animal Identification in Small (Companion) Animals 2022-03-01
Neutering of Dogs and Cats 2019-08-13
Pain Management in Animals (Previously Pain Control in Animals) 2022-02-22
Partial Digital Amputation (Onychectomy or Declawing) of the Domestic Felid 2022-03-05
Partial Digital Amputation (Onychectomy, Declawing) of Non-Domestic Felids and Other Carnivores Kept in Human Care 2021-02-10
Pest Management (previously Pest Control) 2022-03-05
Responsibility of Veterinary Professionals in Addressing Animal Abuse and Neglect 2024-08-19
Responsible Breeding of Companion Animals 2024-02-01
Role of the Canadian Veterinary Profession in Addressing the Challenges of Climate Change 2022-10-21
Safety of Raw Meat-Based Pet Food Products 2023-10-16
Service Animals 2021-06-07
Surgical Castration of Horses, Donkeys, and Mules 2019-08-13
Surgical Procedures Performed on Animals 2021-01-22
Tail Docking of Dairy Cattle 2022-02-22
Tail Docking of Sheep 2021-11-05
Telemedicine 2021-08-06
Transport of Dogs and Cats 2024-05-16
Trapping of Fur-Bearing Animals 2021-12-02
Use of Animals in Science 2021-05-28
Use of Lead Fishing Tackle and Lead Shot in Canada 2021-05-28
Use of Thermocautery for the Treatment of Lameness in Horses 2021-06-03
Vaccination of Animals 2024-08-29
Ventriculocordectomy (Devocalization) of Dogs 2022-02-22
Veterinary Dentistry 2022-10-21
Welfare of Cull Dairy Cows 2018-07-03