What YOU Can Do

1. Contact elected representatives: local, state and national.
2. Target Earmark Organizations: ASUS, AKC, ASPCA, AVMA, HSUSA
3. Ask your veterinarians if they crop ears? Let them know if you do NOT approve.
4. Ask your veterinarians if they have requested that their own AVMA and ACVS develop a more firm policy against Non Health Related cosmetic surgeries?
5. Avoid buying puppies from pet stores or puppy mills. Ask to see both parents. Check references. If registration papers are from an area far from where the puppy is you are considering, you may wish to reconsider.
6. If you are not interested in a showable puppy, plan to spay or neuter your pet. Enjoy your pets with natural ears!
7. If you want a high priority breeding and/or show program, ask a breeder if they are willing to assist you, to be a co-owner, to share stud services, handling and entry fees, and other responsibilities?
8. Do not adhere to veterinarians who suggest that the puppy you bring to them has to have it's ears cropped or tail docked. Ask to see a video of the procedure. Live with your puppy before deciding to permanently alter its appearance.
9. Attend dog shows and encourage exhibitors, handlers and judges with natural eared dogs. Show you own dogs with natural ears.
10. Buy from breeders who have natural eared parents and who encourage you NOT to crop ears on their puppies.
11. Contact breeders in countries where ear cropping is against the law. Work to encourage importation of quality natural eared stock.
12. Send at least one postcard, e-mail, fax, letter to someone you think can help 'Stop the Crops'. Downloadable "Stop the Crops" postcard or any other of the items listed below.
13. Print out copies of this web site and send them to anyone you feel needs to get the message and whom you feel might be willing to help their canine friends end their inhumane pain and suffering.
14. Ask youth leaders, teachers and dog trainers to get involved with special projects related to non cropping of dogs' ears.

A sample letter for Organizations Dear         ,   The purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention the plight of defenseless dogs being bred and shown in the United States. Since it is now against the law in some states and dozens of civilized countries, including England, Austria, South Africa, Australia, and the Scandinavian countries to crop ears on dogs, why does the USA allow continued ear cropping? Far too many dogs; Schnauzers, Great Danes, Dobermans, Pinschers, Boxers, including some of the rare breeds not yet recognized by the American Kennel Club, are subjected to this cosmetic alternation that permanently mutilates them! Please give this matter your active consideration. Sincerely, For a downloadable version to e-mail or print. click here

A sample letter for legislators to be e-mailed or sent. Dear        ,    The state of _____________________________should introduce a bill with the following provisions: (a) Any person who crops the ears of any dog or procures the cropping of a dog's ears, except for treatment of disease or injury if the dog, is guilty of a misdemeanor.        (b) For purposes of this action the following definitions apply:        (1) 'Ear cropping' means surgical alteration of the pinna that is performed for the purpose of manipulating the ears of any dog for cosmetic reasons so that the ears heal pointed.        (2) 'Disease or injury' means a condition of the dog that impairs normal physiological functioning and does not include prevention of ear infections." Reference: According to Bruce Fogle, DVM: "North America remains the only significant region in the world where ear and tail amputations are still routinely performed" (Guide to Living With A Dog, a Dorling Kindersley Book). PLEASE consider creating a similar bill so that the USA may eventually ban ear cropping on all American dogs! No dog on planet Earth would sign a consent to have his ears cropped! Sincerely yours, Here is a downloadable version to e-mail or print. click here

Send a Petition click here to print petition

Print Postcard 1. The AKC says it opposes cosmetic alterations. 2. The ASPCA has opposed this kind of "senseless surgery". 3. The AVMA has asked AKC to “prohibit the showing of dogs with cropped or trimmed ears.”   YOU can help halt EAR CROPPING…then tail docking…in YOUR STATE... in the USA!   Many states have outlawed animal mutilation. Download or print this postcard! (4.5 x 6")

Print Certificate Download or print this certificate

Print Poster Download or print this poster Humane Oriented Supporters of Non Surgical Alterations Need To Become More Actively Involved! AVMA: American Veterinary Medical Association Position Statement Ear Cropping and Tail Docking of Dogs (Oversight: AWC; HOD 07/1999, EB revised 11/2008) "The AVMA opposes ear cropping and tail docking of dogs when done solely for cosmetic purposes. The AVMA encourages the elimination of ear cropping and tail docking from breed standards." HSVMA: Humane Society Veterinarian Medical Association The Humane Society Veterinary Medical Association has launched a new outreach effort focused on the issue of cosmetic and convenience surgeries in companion animals. This campaign has been designed to help educate the public and provide tools to veterinary professionals who are opposed to these non-therapeutic procedures, which include ear cropping, tail docking, devocalization of cats and dogs, and declawing of cats. ASPCA: American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® ASPCA and Dumb Friends League: The ASPCA does not condone ear cropping and encourages breeders and dog parents to leave dogs with their natural ears. In most cases, ear cropping is surgery done purely for cosmetic reasons and causes dogs unnecessary pain and discomfort. read more here Listed as Animal Cruelty Ear Cropping: The cropping of a purebred dog's ears to conform to a breed standard. Although this unnecessary cosmetic surgery is regularly performed by some veterinarians, it is often done by untrained individuals, without anesthesia, in unsterile environments. read more here Elective/Cosmetic Surgery The Dumb Friends League opposes any form of elective, cosmetic or other unnecessary surgical procedures that are painful, stressful or restrictive to the function of a body part when performed for the benefit of the animal owner not the animal. Examples of cosmetic /elective surgeries are declawing, debarking, defanging, ear cropping and tail docking. HSUS: The Humane Society of the United States HSUS Policy Cosmetic Surgery on Animals The Humane Society of the United States opposes tail myotomy, tail neurectomy and tongue myotomy in equines, ear-cropping of dogs, and declawing of cats when done solely for the convenience of the owner and without benefit to the animal. Further, we oppose any other unnecessary surgical procedure that is painful, distressful, or restrictive of the function of the body part involved when done for cosmetic purposes or to disguise natural imperfections of any animal. Banfield Pet Hospitals recently Discontinued Ear Cropping on dogs “After thoughtful consideration and reviewing medical research, we have determined it is in the best interest of the pets we treat… to discontinue performing these unnecessary cosmetic procedures.” read more here AMERICAN KENNEL CLUB Canine Legislation Position Statement EAR CROPPING, TAIL DOCKING AND DEWCLAW REMOVAL The American Kennel Club recognizes that ear cropping, tail docking, and dewclaw removal, as described in certain breed standards, are acceptable practices integral to defining and preserving breed character and/or enhancing good health. Appropriate veterinary care should be provided.




Letters The following represent parts of letters sent to dog owners ASPCA December 27, 1996 Humane Society of the United States Leslie Sinclair, DVM Director of Companion Animal Care Thank you for contacting the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) about the issue of "ear cropping" of specific dog breeds, and congratulations on your championship! I agree that ear cropping is an unnecessary, painful, disfiguring procedure for any animal to undergo. I commend you for your efforts to persuade dog fanciers to forego this surgery for their dogs, and to appreciate the natural beauty of an uncropped dog. Your impression that ear cropping is not widely taught to veterinary students is correct. Thank you for "leading by example"; this may be the best way to resolve this issue for American showdogs. Letter from Betty White, American actress and "Golden Girl," animal advocate with Morris Animal Foundation Back to Table of Contents