Here are two posters by Ruth (aka Kattaddorra) who has been fighting the good fight against the declawing of cats for many years. She is a co-founder of the ‘International Coalition Against Declawing’.
Declawing only occurs in the USA and Canada (I think to a lesser extent in Canada). For me it is an aberration within a nation where, in general, there is a good attitude towards cat welfare. I believe that a major reason why cat owners decide to declaw their cat is because they need educating on why a cat’s claws are so important to a cat and why the operation to declaw is both unnecessary and cruel.
This lack of education about the function of cats’ claws and the horrific nature of the operation to remove them together with the first joint of all ten of the cat’s forepaws is used by unscrupulous veterinarians to make money. Against their oath and professional guidelines, many American vets mislead their clients (cat owners) by convincing them that declawing is morally acceptable and that cats get over the operation quite quickly. Declawing is profoundly painful and can have a life long detrimental impact on a cat’s welfare, behavior and mental health.
Ruth is skilled at making educational posters. So here they are. I hope people with read them carefully and spread the word about the importance of allowing cats to keep all their anatomy given to them over eons of evolution. And if you don’t believe in evolution then God would not have given cats claws unless there is a good reason for it. Don’t undue God’s work and don’t think that humans are better than nature.
There are simple alternatives to this brutal operation. Learn to accept the claws. Learn to avoid them through sensible and enlightened handling of your cat. Provide alternative objects to scratch such as solid scratching posts. Learn to value your possessions less. They are only possessions. Your companion animal’s wellbeing is far more important. Realign your values and focus on doing valuable things (such as improving animal welfare) rather than possessing pristine, valuable items. It is a culture change that will advance Americans’ relationship with the domestic cat.
The picture below is by Michael and it illustrates a page on the anatomy of a cat’s claws and their functions. Click on the image to go to the page.
There are hundreds of pages on declawing on this website, please use the search box at the top of the page to find them.
Please search using the search box at the top of the site. You are bound to find what you are looking for.
I stopped patronizing PetSmart when I learned that their partner, Banfield Vet Hospital declaws kittens and cats, as part of their “Wellness Program”. Many people don’t realize this.
Another thing that my local PetSmart does is store pet food in a large window area, where the Western sun shines on the food. Pet food should be kept COOL in a DARK place. PetSmart isn’t so smart. I took pictures of this last summer 2017. Any of that food could have easily gone rancid, and pets may have gotten sick, with guardians not having a clue to the connection.
Thank you for using 2 of my posters Michael, I know PoC has a lot of visitors who truly do love cats and who will hopefully help our anti declaw cause by sharing your article. We aim to reach as many people as we can to educate them, as some still don’t realise how essential cats claws are to them.
Many thanks for the posters Ruth. You do great posters and I know they have saved many cats from undergoing that disgusting and unforgivable, legalised abuse of the worst kind which vets call an operation.
Ah our two wodgies are 13 days old and quite mobile. The need their little needles to scoot around. The one had open eyes at 5 days and the second is just now getting his open. They would be helpless without their Velcro.
I love that, their ‘Velcro’
Oh my they stick to everything right now. I guess I have trouble understanding the logic used to declaw. My own use their scratchers. In fact the one in the living room prime location looks like it’s been attacked by piranha. Time to resurface. With very little effort I have taught the mama cat to use her scratchers. It is as natural as using a litter box for cats. I think some of the attitude comes from the notion often put forth that cats are easy and don’t need a lot of upkeep. All I’ve ever used is gentle redirection. I will be glad when the day comes and it’s illegal.
It does not as vets and owners claim keep a cat in their home. Often it simply makes an annoying habit into a major behavior issue making the cat unadoptable when surrendered.
I greatly appreciate anyone who ‘Loves Cats’ enough to educate others on how not to cause them damage or hurt them in anyway, shape or form. God did give cats their claws because they need them for their entire lives. PLEASE_Do Not allow your precious cats to go thru this Horrific and Unethical Abomination.
If you feel that your damn couch is more important than your babies, then it is time to re-evaluate
where your heart lives. If you are a person whom just does not care; then for Heaven’s sake adopt your cat to a better home with loving guardians !___________Eva D.R.Force