The American Animal Hospital Association is opposed to ear cropping or tail docking for cosmetic purposes as well as for breed standard purposes. More than 20 breed standards currently call for tail docking or ear cropping, but we recommend the removal of these breed standards and encourage our member veterinarians to discontinue such elective procedures in their hospitals.

Resources:

• Ear Cropping and Tail Docking Position Statement, American Veterinary Management Association, 2008
• Cosmetic Alteration Position Statement, Canadian Veterinary Management Association, 2014

Adopted by the American Animal Hospital Association Board of Directors March 1993. Revised November 1998 and October 2009. Last revised June 2021.