World Protest Against Declawing Cats?
This is a really cool way to protest against the declawing of cats for non-therapeutic reasons. 99.9% of all operations are for non-therapeutic reasons. The idea comes from a South African artist Mark Wilby who employed it to protest against the Chinese demand for rhino horn resulting in the gradual extinction of rhinos.
Anyone can do it from anywhere in the world which makes it particularly powerful. It is very cheap to do and the target can be selected with precision or the target can be a general one.
What we do
When you next cut your toe nails you sellotape the clippings to a letter. The letter reads:
Dear Sirs,
Please find enclosed toenail clippings to be used as free merchandising material in your new promotion to encourage cat owners to trim their cat’s claws rather than asking you to declaw their cats. You may treat this merchandise as a gift from me and you have the right to retain, use, discard, or dispose of it in any manner you see fit without any obligation whatsoever to the sender.
I wish you every success in your new promotion, which ensures compliance with the veterinarian’s oath.
Your faithfully,
From the point of view of keeping it peaceful and polite it is probably better to target vets at random. Or we could target the AVMA. This would avoid any repercussions.
I have checked the USA Postal Service Regulations and the covering letter complies. The rules are found under Receipt of Unsolicited Merchandise from the Postal Reorganization Act of 1970, Title 39, United States Code, Section 3009.
To be honest I think I am being overly cautious. The rules on receipt of unsolicited merchandise relate to protection for recipients from being preyed on by aggressive businesses. But the covering letter does comply with the rules.
Alternatively just put the toenail clippings in the envelope and send it. Does anyone in America who visits this page see a problem with this idea?
I am convinced that it is legal and very cool. It is a nice way of gently but poignantly reminding vets that when they declaw cats they are doing wrong no matter how many weasel words and wriggles they employ to get out of the guilt that they push to the back of their head.