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SAY NO to DECLAW!!!
_declawing is not Cruel_ Avet that thinks it's Not Cruel to declaw? (WOW-Dark Ages?)Is it really so cruel to declaw? Is it wrong to Declaw? Is there any Reasons to declaw.
Is Declawing wrong? Declawing- Psychologically and Physically damaging to cats!
Say NO to DECLAW!
Important Reading Below...
Veterinarians speak out about the problems (physical and socialogical associateed with declawed cats!
Nailcaps for Kitties! (HUMANE alternative-these are generally only needed for first month, maybe 2, untill your kitten or cat is trained!)
by David Hamett DVM
A declawed cat is a maimed animal, a clubfoot! It no longer can walk the same,  run the same, or even function as a complete cat- yet people continue this barbaric procedure...One must ask "why?"
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Just What is Declaw, anyway?
It is NOT a simple surgery , whether regular or laser is the method used. It includes permanent bone amputation, anesthesia risk, not to mention a lifetime sentence of no longer being allowed to be a real cat.
  
Has your veterinarian explained?
Has he or she told you of the pain and longterm affects that could litterally change your cat's personality in the future? Has your vet explained the many functions of a cat's claw and how important they are to your cat's physical and emotional wellbeing?

Cats are masters at hiding pain and discomforts.  Just for a minute, imagine you had the first joint of each of your fingers amputated- that is what they compare frontal declaw to- but, wait! Ok, you suffer long after the healing is over,  as is usually the case in BONE AMPUTATION, SEVERED NERVES AND TENDONS, ghost pains, but, at least YOU wouldn't have to put weight on your fingers, or attempt to use them for balance! Just imagine their agony! There is never a GOOD reason for this maiming procedure, but there is a good reason it is outlawed in the UK, and many other countries, labeled as unnecesary cruelty! Think about that...(HERE IT IS CALLED THE LEGAL CRUELTY!)
 Cats need claws for scratching, grooming, balance, stress reduction, upper body exercise, general, healthy "life tasks"

I, for one, have come to join the the millions who see the declawed cat as a handicapped animal. And, as humans may learn to cope with handicaps, and live perfectly happy lives, others do not. So is true of the feline. And just who of us is actually qualified to  determine any declawed cat is "perfectly happy"? (give me a break!)

Morally Speaking...
My belief is that we do not have the moral right to "handicap" an animal to suit our convenience!  There simply is NO benefit to the cat resulting from this maiming surgery. "Redesigning" our precious pets,  through surgical amputation, simply has no justification. Yes, and many veterinarians will say it's "OK", but let's take a look at how they make their living! Some will "ok" the procedure simply because to say "no" would just cause the client to seek another vet who would say it IS "OK"!  Because people have their closed minds made up, and because it is is an easy "quick fix". But it "fixes" NOTHING!  Remember,  NO one declaws with love!
What right do we have to take away the very part of this wonderful animal's anatomy that enables it to enjoy it's favorite pastime of climbing? Climbing does NOT have to be your furniture, cats truely preferr their own "climbing furniture!", such as homemade or purchased "cattrees!
One can certainly feel great sympathy for the animal who can't even scratch an itch! Especially when most "itches" occur in ears, facial area!

Then, what happens if this, now handicapped animal, no longer wishes to use the litterbox? Or? After time passes, it's personality changes -(frustrations?)-
If it eventually becomes a biter because of YOUR chosen "modification"-will you then choose to have it's teeth removed as well? While we can say other factors may also be the determining factor in the resulting behavior changes, most can be "remedied"- but how do you put your cat's toes back on?

I have been asked to "take in" a number of declawed cats by their owner for any number of reasons. I no longer will take declawed cats. "My cat suddenly got nasty, or my kitty is going outside the litterbox" -to quote a few reasons for wanting to give up their pet. Is it not strange that cats taken to shelters are almost NEVER taken because of SCRATCHING? Yet the # 1 "humane(?)" reason given for declawing is that "so the animal can stay in it's home"-SIMPLY NOT TRUE!!! These animals were never given a chance!

 I have one, almost 18 now, who is an outdoor cat, but it took a great deal of effort on my part to "work this out." Of course she must come into  building at night, but, as in past years, cleaned up after also. Yes, I was able to break her of the biting, and she has learned to trust again, but she will never use a litterbox. Is it possible she is one that ended up with a permanent "wooden feeling" in her feet because of this surgery? Nerve damage is common, but these things are never "brought out." She is one of many, many stories...

So, Please, say NO to Declaw!
Drape a sheet over your furniture till kitty is trained, clip his nails, use nailcaps for the first few months, try sticky tape, buy or make a scratching post, actually, buy or make MORE than one!-

Create a COMFORT ZONE for your cat or kitten! Give kitty a plauseable alternative to your furniture.
 try education versus amputation! (Or- don't get one!-) instead, search pet ads and shelters for those already declawed (save a paw!)
Sincerely,                                                             www.janskids.com
It never ceases to amaze me, how many seemingly intelligent people, living in the 21st century can be so uneducated concerning the procedure of declawing and it's ill-effects! Have  they been
grossly misinformed, don't want to learn  (guilt?,  like "easy fixes"?), or- just don't care...?
by David Hamett DVM
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