These are pet raccoons. The owners are particularly keen to have their long, non-retractible claws removed on all four paws. Raccoons’ claws are attached to bone like cats. Declawing raccoons is similar to declawing cats.
Safari Animal Care Center in Texas appears to be very profitable and profit motivated. Hence their disregard for the ethical treatment of animals and their eagerness to comply with their clients’ requests to declaw raccoons.
The head vet is Dr Garner who is highly qualified in veterinary surgery but lacks qualifications in ethical behaviour and animal welfare.
When asked if it was okay to declaw raccoons a member of staff replied:
“With everything, some people might not agree, but if you want to home one and make it your baby, it’s ok.”
That sums up the distorted and bizarre viewpoint of this veterinary clinic. They want raccoons to be babies and babies don’t have nasty claws do they?
The clinic tried to downplay the operation when asked. They said declawing a raccoon is like removing the nail of a human. They meant that the claw is not attached to bone which is a lie.
Comment: personally it shocks me. Firstly people should not keep raccoons as pets as they are wild animals. Secondly declawing is known to be barbaric and unjustified. It can never be justified unless it is for the health of the animal which is exceedingly rare. This should not be allowed but sadly it is and it happens 3 times a week or about 150 times a year. 150 pet raccoons in agony for the convenience of their owners. I am sure there are similar complications as for cats.
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Source: cassandracatwantsherclawsback.wordpress.com
Thanks Toby. I will check this out.
It is illegal to own a raccoon as a pet in Texas. No legitimate vet will treat one except for a rehabber with a license.
This is not a valid story
I do possess exotic animals, but they are ball pythons. If I were to have a raccoon, it would keep its claws as God intended. That’s what nail clippers are made for.
Agreed. This mutilation needs to be stopped. I will never have a declawed animal, unless medically necessary, such as with a polydactyl cat I had that had a “super claw”, which was growing into the side of another toe. I had just that claw removed. Same with tail docking, ear cropping, and devoicing of dogs. All unnecessary.