Several cosmetic surgeries for pets have been banned in Quebec

Quebec's ban on four cosmetic surgeries on pets went into effect today, banning the removal of vocal cords, ear cropping, tail docking and cosmetic surgery.

Veterinarians say non-critical procedures expose animals to anesthesia-related risks and can lead to behavioral problems.

The Quebec regulation still allows veterinarians to offer surgeries for medical therapeutic purposes and makes an exception for the ear cropping of stray cats in authorized capture, sterilization and release programs.

New rules in Quebec make Ontario the only province in Canada that doesn't ban cat culling.

The far-reaching Quebec regulations also set new standards for animal welfare, including stricter controls on commercial breeding.

Among its other rules are a ban on inhalation euthanasia, a ban on tying an animal without a collar, a ban on the mating of animals of mismatched sizes and a ban on the feeding of meat to pigs.