The Utah VMA Won’t be Happy About This: Nation’s Largest Veterinary Chain Discontinues Tail Docking and Ear Cropping
Banfield, The Pet Hospital is an international chain of veterinary practices. The practices are often associated with PetSmart stores.
Banfield is the largest chain of veterinary hospitals in the world. The corporation owns more than 700 pet health care centers.
I didn’t realize that, until recently, tail docking and ear cropping were available at Banfield outlets. They aren’t any more.
Here is an excerpt from an article found at DVM Newsmagazine’s website.
Banfield discontinues cosmetic ear cropping, tail docking
Jul 27, 2009
DVM NEWSMAGAZINEPortland, Ore. — Banfield, The Pet Hospital will discontinue ear cropping and tail docking surgeries, the company reports today.
Banfield’s decision follows an extensive review and subsequent approval by its Medical Standards Board, which is described as an internal panel of experienced veterinarians responsible for evaluating all medical standards and procedures.
In July, heated discussion about cosmetic surgeries erupted at the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) meeting in Seattle where its governing body reaffirmed its position against ear cropping and tail docking.
“After thoughtful consideration and reviewing medical research, we have determined it is in the best interest of the pets we treat, as well as the overall practice, to discontinue performing these unnecessary cosmetic procedures,” explains Karen Faunt, DVM, MS, Dipl. ACVIM, vice president for medical quality advancement for Banfield. “It is our hope that this new medical protocol will help reduce, and eventually eliminate, these cosmetic procedures altogether,” Faunt adds in a prepared statement released today.
You have questions. 
In my personal opinion I am so glad that they did this. I dislike the practice since there is no valid reason for doing so.
I wrote an article about this here…
http://dogcarefrenzy.com/pet-dog-health/why-do-we-crop-our-dogs-ears/
Omar
Great!
Now if physicians would just stop circumcising baby boys, they might be just about as compassionate as us veterinarians … well, maybe not quite. Physicians have a long ways to go.
Thank God for wonderful businesses like Petsmart and Banfield! This is the kind of step that will lead to the complete banning of ear cropping and tail docking in the U.S.
That poor Boxer in the post photo looks so miserable.
While I’m happy they’ll not offer these procedures anymore, I’d like to know Banfield’s stance on declawing.
Go Banfield! Every time I see a poor dog who’s gone through one of those procedures, my heart goes out to them. If I weren’t so happy with my vet I would switch.
I have a new respect for Banfield…thank you!!