A North Battleford veterinarian has lost his appeal against a decision by the Saskatchewan Veterinary Medical Association (SVMA) to ban cosmetic declawing of cats.
Dr. Shawn Haas, who works at Lakeland Veterinary Hospital, disagreed with a 2021 change to the SVMA’s bylaws that prohibits the procedure known as onychectomy. The ban, which was voted on during the SVMA's annual general meeting (AGM), prohibits members from performing cosmetic declawing.
Haas argued that the notice of the AGM was sent by email rather than traditional mail, which he claimed was inadequate. In 2022, King’s Bench judge John Morrall dismissed Haas’ application to quash the decisions and resolutions made during the 2021 AGM.
The Court of Appeal has now upheld that ruling.
During the AGM, SVMA members voted 51-7, with one abstention, in favour of banning the procedure. Declawing had already been banned in seven other provinces prior to the vote.
Haas, who did not attend the meeting, learned about the policy change afterwards. He told Morrall during the initial hearing that he had not seen the email containing the AGM notice and agenda. Had he received the notice, Haas said he would have prepared materials and attended the meeting to present them.
The appeal court justices concluded that while the notice would have been insufficient for a legal proceeding, such as professional discipline, it was adequate for a meeting.