Sunshine was Declawed and Abandoned

Despicable. There is NO reason to force an animal to submit to major, crippling surgery. If you value your furniture more than a cat, don't own a cat. If you're willing to have the last third of your fingers surgically removed, go right ahead. Don't force a cat to undergo it though.

About the article: It is a very good one. People need to know the complete truth behind declawing. The biggest problem stems from clients regarding vets as trustworthy. Clients are confident that if a procedure is harmful to the animal, then the vet will say so. This is far from the case! Most vets are only in the business to make money and if the animal is mutilated in the process, they don't care. That just guarantees repeat business.

To be polite: Anonymous, you are a very ignorant idiot to believe that declawing a cat is a good thing. Laser declawing is NOT better than scapel/nail clipper declawing. Either method still AMPUTATES the last knuckle of each finger/toe. Lasers even cause burns.

Many people make the mistake of having a cat, but not having a scratching post. Where else is the cat to scratch? If you DO have a scratching post and you are NOT capable of training your cat to only claw things that are acceptable for clawing, then you should NEVER own a cat. Cats are very trainable without mutilating their feet.

Cats can NOT climb trees without the use of their fingers. Rear feet are only used to psh them upwards. They need the finger tips on their from hands to grab the tree and hang on!

Declawing should be outlawed world-wide and until then, people should be educated about the truths behind declawing. Visit www.save-our-paws.org for more information about declawing. It will definitely open eyes about the horrors that result from toe amputations.

I just wanted to point out some facts as well on declawing... I'll start by saying I'm NOT against declawing the front claws on a cat. My vet only uses the laser method - there's no hospital time, there's no special litter requirements... there's more than 1 way to do it (and I'd never remove the back claws - they CAN still climb trees with just their back claws if they manage to get outside - which mine don't).

It's beyond cruel to let one outside who's had their front claws taken out however.

I had 2 choices - let my cat shred my door frames to ribbons (he refused to use anything but those), and stand no chance at being adopted from the Humane Society (I got him from there - he suffered URIs every 2-3 months being a Persian), or take his front claws out. The choice was simple & I don't feel the least bit guilty about it.

There's no "blanket" answer to any issue - but in all reality there are bigger issues than claws - like spaying & neutering - you could argue that those are inhumane since they require hospital time as well...

There are countries who have culling for feral pets because they don't spay & neuter as they should.

What happened to the cat the child had several years ago?

You guys don't have to worry about sunshine.

KL is a child with High functioning autism. She does not like to be around people that much. She has an above average IQ. With a lot of individuals on this levels they have a difficult time expressing themselves.

I have used my own animals with the child. I rescue all kind of animals to foster. I just don't have cats now.

I don't have a problem trusting her taking care of my animals if I were to go out of town. Family members all have cats that she tends to. She had a cat several yrs ago and she continues to talk about him.

So, in a nutshell I know Kailey well and I want you to give her a chance to prove herself.

Regards Elisabeth

My name is Elizabeth lander and I am a case worker for ALL MY CHILDREN IN Cherryville NC. The young girl is a seven year old autistic girl.

She was approved by her Psychiatrist to receive a cat to help her in her everyday life. The family picked up a kitten that was not healthy and would cost too much.

Also the cat had to be declawed and I would not provide the money for this because because I do not agree with declawing a cat.

I posted my concerns on Facebook and Betty saw the agony and frustration I was feeling. Betty provided me with the sad story of Sunshine and the article Anna had written and I discussed it with all of the child's family and it was an answer to their prayers.

She linked me to Anna Lisa who made the arrangements to meet us to pick up Sunshine on Thursday.

The plan was to try to one help a cat plus help a child who has alot of love but at times finds it difficult to express herself. So I believe God had a hand in delivery of this little angel to a special little girl who well deserves Sunshine to call her very own.

Hi Anna Lisa Rescue

I didn't mean to be negative anyone that fosters cats knows how difficult it is placing them in the most suitable home.

I would be so pleased to hear how sunshine gets on.

I'm the person who found Sunshine and gave her a foster home. I want to say thank you for caring about Sunshine. She is a very special cat and I have grown to really love her in this short time. I thought long and hard before placing her with a special needs (autistic) child. And after doing some research and observing Sunshine with my other fosters and pets, I think I've made the right decision. Sunshine doesn't seem to be a biter. She does use her paws to swipe at the other cats though. She is very calm in nature. In any case, I am definitely willing to take her back if it does not work out for this family. Their social worker and I are working together on this and she is also a cat person. She has told me that she will be monitoring the situation thoroughly. So if there are any problems, I'm sure she will let me know. I will keep in touch and give you an update. ^..^
Anna Lisa Rescue

That's what I've always heard about declawed cats. They bite and then the new owner returns them to the shelter. On the bright side, I know of several mentally challenged children who were wonderful with pets. Hopefully her parents can explain the danger and the child and the cat will get along well.

I've adopted out many cats over the years. I've always told the new family that if things didn't work out to please return the cat to me. I've had that happen once and it's because the owners boyfriend brought home a mean dog and she was afraid for the cat.

I don't know the age of the child or what the disability is. I hope for the best.

I also would like to add that I would never, ever place a declawed cat in a home with children, elderly, or immune-comprised.

It'a a well documented fact that declawed cats bite more and use their litterbox less which makes them a public health & safety risk. Cat bites are far more dangerous & infectious than cat scratches.

I'm not saying they don't deserve new homes after being abandoned, but the home has to realize that declawed cats are special needs animals that can & do have issues throughout their whole lives.

I like what PAWS Chicago has to say about this in their "Misconceptions About Cats" Article:

Misconception #5
A declawed cat is safer for a home with small children than one which has claws.
In fact, exactly the opposite is true. A declawed cat, feeling as though its first line of defense is missing, is much more likely to be a biter. Children often do things that may irritate a cat, such as pulling its ears or tail, and the animal’s natural reaction is to defend itself. A declawed cat does not have the option scratching the child as a deterrent so it is likely to bite first and ask questions later.

Unfortunately, while a scratch tends to be superficial and will heal easily, bits are puncture wounds and are serious injuries to anyone, especially a young child.

Expectant or new parents who declaw their cats in hopes that it will protect their children are actually exposing them to much more serious injuries. Children should be taught as early as possible how to appropriately interact with the family cat, minimizing the occasions on which the cat may need to defend itself.

Thanks for telling Sunshine's story. Sadly it's only one of the millions of "Declawed and Abandoned" ones. She is one more casualty.
I hope her new humans will have her paws examined routinely and give her pain meds when she needs them to help her along her journey as a cat with crippled paws. They can't give her back the quality of life she so deserved living as a "cat" with all of her healthy & usable body parts, but they can hopefully make her more comfortable.

Once Sunshine gets to her new home I'll post an update. She will be with a child and 2 parents so I hope this ending continues to be happy. I'll know more toward end of week.

The main thing stressed was Sunshine not be placed with a home with any other pets. She's too traumatized.

You know Elisa I was in 2 minds whether to read this or not but I have and I don't know whether I've made the right decision now I've read it because I will still worry about this poor cat.

I don't think there's ever a truly happy ending for these cats. I now worry about the fact that Sunshine has gone to a special needs child. I think its lovely if he can bring something special to the child but what if Sunshine gets hurt? Afterall (and I'm sorry to have to say this) he has been rendered nothing but a living breathing stuffed toy by his previous family. He has no claws; he cannot defend himself even against an excited child. What if the child hurts him and he bites in retaliation? Not his fault but how else can he defend himself?
Do you know what sort of special needs the child has? Is he/her autistic for example? Prone to outbursts?

Sorry to put a downer on your story Elisa I don't mean to but I don't think a declawed cat should even be placed with a young child .

I hate with all my heart anyone who declaws a cat because of their 'kid'. I just can't comprehend it at all. Bad enough all those who know their kids won't hurt the cat but when I think about all those parents who don't give a damn; who leave an innocent kitten defenceless to mauling hands. What sort of person would do that? Clearly one without a brain or a heart or both.

This subject makes me feel worse everyday. I look at the pictures of Sunshine and even one who knows nothing about cats would think 'my those paws look awfully small for such a large cat'

Declawing makes me truly sick to my stomach. You're right Elisa only someone with half a brain would do this without doing research; the owners are just as much to blame and I hope they all rot in hell for what they've done.

I agree with Dee!
This is typically the way those stupid unfeeling asses behave,they move and take the dog yet abandon the cat they crippled.
Cats really are second class citizens to those people as well as to the butchers who declaw them.
Poor little Sunshine.
I have abused cats in my care but at least none of them were abused by a vet.
I'm pinning my hopes on the protest being organised but my heart aches for the thousands of cats which will be crippled like Sunshine before declawing is finally banned.

People are truly stupid unfeeling asses!

Poor Sunshine, I'm so glad she was rescued. I won't say she was one of the lucky ones because she still has to live her life as a cripple, but I'm glad she will be going to a good forever home soon.
It doesn't bear thinking about the number of declawed cats abandoned defenceless.
Elisa I agree it's the owners to blame as much as the vets. What right minded person would allow an operation to remove essential healthy parts of their cat? I know many don't know it's actually the last toe joints amputated, they think it's 'just' the claws, but even so, how could they ever contemplate taking away 'just' the claws ?
The very word 'declaw' fills people here with shock and horror. We can not understand why anyone would get a cat, knowing he has claws, if they don't like that fact.
I can hardly wait for the day declawing is banned, then only true cat lovers will have the pleasure of them in their lives.
I'm so glad you are joining Michael in the protest and I hope many more people are as brave as you and the other few volunteers so far.
We can only wait for news of your success.

Thanks Elisa. I hope we can make the protests/demonstrations work. If we can, it would be great to have you along.