I found these two kittens in my travels yesterday. They were behind a strip mall that I pass through on my way to Walmart some mornings around 4:30 AM when I have run short of the cat food that I packed for my colonies. They are semi-feral and I brought them home to socialize. I called the rescue group I am affiliated with and they were approved to be displayed for adoption at Petsmart after undergoing testing and neutering. I was so happy until I got an email from one of the board members asking how I felt about declawing.
Here are some excerpts from the emails I got and my responses:
HER: “What do you think about declaw? I know a great couple who wants one of those and they have a good vet to declaw them. They come in every Saturday.”
ME: “Very, very strong feelings about declaw mutilation.”
HER: “I had 2 done at T&C on kittens and no problem what so ever…They jump off my bed onto the tile and doesn’t bother them…I would only have a reputable vet do it…Mine are done with lazer.”
ME: “Not negotiable. Sorry. Amputation for owner convenience is unacceptable to me.”
No more emails received since, so I don’t know if I can adopt them out or not at this point.
Actually, I was shocked by her because this group is anti-declaw all the way. I think she stepped out of bounds in her exuberance to have them adopted.
I decided to exercise my right to visit the adopter’s home at any time to check on the welfare of my adopted cats. I’ll tell all upfront to expect it. I, also, have the right to confiscate if they have violated the adoption contract which I have made certain clearly states no declaw.
I think that I covered my bases.
UPDATE!
These two darlings were adopted together today to a wonderful couple with an 8 year old daughter who impressed me with her maturity, even with the way she held them.
I’m so happy, but cried anyway at losing them.
They said that they will keep the names I gave them – Simom and Simone.
Sorry That’s Simon and Simone.
Now, there are two siblings that will be harder to place.
One is an orange tabby; the other is black/white.
Wonderful news Dee, I’m so glad Simon and Simone were adopted together, yes it must have been hard parting with them. I hope their siblings end up in a loving home too.
WELL DONE YOU! x
Thanks, R.
My hope was for them to be together. I, actually, pretty much dismissed the 2 people who wanted only one.
They have been inseparable from the beginning and do everything together. It’s adorable.
They have the right “parents” now. They saw, right away, that they were “siamese twins”.
Dee, that’s so lovely to hear that those 2 kittens were re-homed together. Well done you, for hanging on for the right family to adopt them.
So pleased for you and for the little souls that they have gone to a safe home where they won’t be abused by declawing, well done Dee that’s another two lives saved, you are an amazing lady xxxx
I cannot believe that a shelter Person first thought was to declaw??That the people didnt think anything of it, whats wrong with people, So disappointing. Keep them with you as long as you can, shouldnt be de-clawed they are only kittens!!!
Those kittens are adorable. Thank goodness they’re safe with you Dee.
Very worrying that the board member clearly isn’t against declawing. Her own cats have been declawed and her comment “I would only have a reputable vet do it…” means she’ll probably have future cats of her own declawed. How many cats has she allowed to be adopted by people knowing that they will declaw?
Why is this person where she is? She shouldn’t be suggesting declawing and be in favour of it.
I’ve been affiliated with this cat rescue group for about 5 years. I’ve been well aware that they are anti-declawing. So, until now, that possibility has never been mentioned.
As I wrote, I think she just “lost it” in her exhuberance to have them adopted. I thought she was going to have an orgasm just from seeing their pictures (can I say that?). I’ve always known her to be caring and hardworking. I never knew that she had had any cat declawed. I’m not sure anyone else knows either. I haven’t lost confidence in the group as a whole – just her.
But, in the case of these two sweeties, I’m passing on any help there this time.
Thanks for sharing DEE and yes both are really beautiful semi feral kittens. The issue of de-clawing is severe at this time in USA, I think. Every other cat owner wants it but I hate it, I even don’t trim the nail tips of my cats. Just to allow them to protect them-self, climb or scratch. I don’t think that kittens or adult cats (if socialized/ tamed) scratch owners or their households.
Its a sick mind, lazy mind and crazy mind thinking to declaw the cats. 🙁
But Thousand thanks for what you are doing for feral cats out there <3
Agreed. As there are an estimated 20+ million declawed cats in the USA there are up to 20 million people with the sort of minds you describe. Shocking isn’t it?
Ahsan, they are both in a very loving and safe home now.
I cried like a baby having to let them go.
I’m certain you know how I felt.
Its enough of a worry when when I re-home as it is I couldn’t even contemplate the thought that someone would consider mutilating a cat I had homed!!!
Hi Lee, I’d add the words “legally binding contract” when talking to adopters about your anti-declaw contract – those words seem to command attention. I always send home the cardboard scratchers my foster cats use at my house so they have a familiar scratching place in their new home since they may scratch more during the transition phase to destress.
I’d send this link to the mutilating board member which lists the general guidelines of care for all declawed cats from Paw Project Utah. Even if her crippled cats seem “fine” now, that sure doesn’t mean that they really are since cats hide pain, or will stay that way as they age. I’ve been sending this link to anyone who says their declawed cats are fine and also just added it to my declawed foster cats petfinder profile so folks understand the lifetime of care these special needs animals require, since so many people aren’t told (or even misled by some rescues who market their declawed cats as “easier pets” or “maintenance free pets”) and then when the cat has medical or behavioral issues, they are relinquished or abandoned: http://us8.campaign-archive1.com/?u=ee2d453714f3b85e58c17026b&id=d32d93daf5
Best of luck with the kitties, I’d probably end up keeping them if I found them myself they are so beautiful 🙂
Thank you, Susan.
Great info.
It takes very little for any cat to burrow into my heart. These two are no different. The one in the forefront is a boy, and the smaller a girl.
It’s hard to keep dismissing the thought that they must be “mine”; but, the reality is that there may be someone better suited. I have a very full plate and want them to have all the love and attention they deserve. They would, easily, become one of many here. Not saying that they would be deprived at all.
Just saying that I want them to feel very special, because they are.
They have been adopted into a very loving home together.
Thank you for your comment. It was hard to let them go.
That’s wonderful! So happy they got to stay together and were fostered by someone like you who loved and cared enough about them to find them a home who doesn’t declaw. yay! But I understand how bittersweet it is to let them go -it’s like a piece of your heart goes with them.
Awww. I hate that Vets will even declaw. Many will not agree to do that. There are other options to that as we all know, so what the heck! My sister had her cat declawed and when he returned home he was in such pain. He stuck his paws in the water dish constantly. She didn’t know any better and still struggles with what she did to him.