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.
I agree. They’d do it the first chance they got.
Be sure you allow them some TV time as well 🙂
I like your plan. Here’s our feral baby. She looked so sad at being caught that I couldn’t resist.
Thanks Elisa.
I may well ask that of you in a couple of weeks.
The 2 of them are inside with me, currently hiding under the china cabinet tearing up part of the morning newspaper that I placed just barely within their reach. They are petty skittish, but I’ve been able touch them and pick them up sometimes, as you can tell in the picture.
I don’t believe that they are more than 8-9 weeks old.
What I think I’m going to do at this point is to go ahead and bypass adoption out of Petsmart. Lots of people pass through the adoption area. I don’t know who the couple is that “P” is talking about, so I wouldn’t know them if I saw them. Something inside of me is saying not to risk that this couple will come through and ask to adopt one or both and lie about the declawing now. And, I’ll be none the wiser.
What I’m thinking of doing is taking them in as ferals for TNR at 12 weeks old which is when they can have their rabies vaccine. My cost for neutering, exam, rabies vaccine, flea and parasite preventative is only $10 each. Then, I feel they will be ready for adoption. Plus, it will give me a little time to work with them.
I’m looking at just after New Years, since Christmas will be interrupting my course of action.
What do you think?
So are the kittens with you Dee or are they at a shelter? Surely you have some say over where they go to and can refuse to let them go to the would-be declawer? I don’t see how you could trust them not to do it anyway, then it would be too late to save their toes.
Well done Dee for rescuing those kittens. I can hardly believe someone wanted to mutilate them, no ‘good vet’ declaws and boasting hers are done by laser as if it’s any less cruel and disabling shows she shouldn’t be allowed anywhere near any cat or kitten.
I hope they get a lovely home where they can live their lives as cats WITH their rightful claws.
I wouldn’t like to be any person who promised that them broke their promise, you’d make them sorry they were ever born!