While doing my nightly routine of “sleep-surfing” the internet, I recently came across a post on Facebook from a “friend” that I thought would interest (and most likely anger) the readers here. This friend is a big promoter of declawing cats in her New York rescue!
Michael wrote this PoC article back in January about New Jersey may soon be the first state to ban declawing. New York is also expected to follow in the near future with a state-wide ban.
The person who promotes declawing had my mouth hanging open with her philosophy. She stated she’s in rescue and that a lot of cats will die in shelters, should the declawing ban be passed in New York. She believes cats who claw on their owner’s furniture will quickly be dumped at kill shelters and stated she’d much rather see a cat subjected to an indoor life without claws than be killed.
One person commented back that declawing is the equivalent to cutting off the tips of the fingers. The pro-declawing advocate even had a comment back for that! She said she knew plenty of people who were missing part of their fingers and could function normally. To add insult to injury, she said she knew plenty of declawed cats who never suffered at all because the operation was performed by an experienced veterinarian.
This lady needs a thorough education on declawing, starting with how well cats hide their pain and ending with how poor litterbox manners often seen in declawed cats can mean a trip to the kill shelter. This can be proven by the number of declawed cats available for adoption at animal shelters across the country.
My cat Furby, who most of the readers here remember from his many stories, wanted me to share this photo of him. Furby says this is what you do to keep your cats from clawing the furniture. Not only does he have this scratching post on his cat tree, the Turbo Scratcher circle toy has a refillable cardboard insert that cats love to massage their claws on.
If any of you know who the person is on Facebook who’s not only defending declawing but actually promoting it, please ask her to come forward and comment on this post.
Are there others who share her beliefs? I’m curious. Just when I think we’re coming out of the stone age, I’m at a loss for words over this. Well, not exactly a loss. I try not to use the kind of language I’m tempted to use. IF I can ever find her post again on Facebook.
Elisa
After I discovered that Banfield Animal Hospital, a partner of PetSmart, offers “DeClawing” as a part of a WELLNESS PACKAGE for kittens and cats, I stopped shopping there. Now Chewy is part of PetSmart, so these big pet stores are gobbling up whoever they can.
Of course my pennies are just a drop in the bucket; I wish more people would stop giving support to De-clawing by shopping at PetSmart, and taking their pets to Banfield. There are horror stories online from people who used Banfield veterinary services.
I shop at my local Pet Market, and he even special orders for me. His shop is small, but packed with quality pet foods, including raw frozen for cats and dogs.
If we buy from PetSmart, we’re supporting De-Clawing, so think about it.
I have had people who see nothing wrong with declawing say if you do them really young they never miss their claws. The insanity never stops. The cats being dumped were likely going to be dumped. Owners that care either fix behavior issues or find ways to cope.
Cats won’t stay in their homes and there is no guarantee a declawed cat will be kept inside. you can buy a pet nail clipper starting at a few dollars.