I have to support Kelly. I will go to any possible lengths to avoid declawing
but there are times it is in both the cat's and caregiver's best interest.
There is laser technology available that takes most of the pain out of it
surgery. I had my mother's cat declawed because every time she (the cat) even
looked at Mom, Mom bled profusely and it took hours to stop the bleeding.
Never mind the bruises. Kitty did not mean to hurt Mom but just routine
stretching produces nails. Neither she nor the other cat seemed any worse for
the experience and I am very sure that both, if asked, would have given up the
first digits to their "fingers." I know I would in exchange for a home, food,
and all the love imaginable.
Dixie is not declawed and I am praying that the day never comes when I have to
do that. With a compromised immune system ........... well, I just pray. She
is wonderful about what she scratches and I have AC friends who talk to her
when she "forgets." Like most on this list, I have adjusted my taste in
furniture and found that lacey throws on couches and other upholstered pieces
stop a lot of damage. And there is no carpet in the house (the floors are
taking a beating from the constant running and turning but that is ok). There
will be no long, expensive drapes.
Beliefs are very strong on this issue and I understand how volatile it is. I'm
just throwing in my own thoughts. And the thought that perhaps we need to ask
the cats in question what they would prefer when death is a serious option.
If you have men who will
exclude any of God's creatures
from the shelter of compassion
and pity, you will have men who
will deal likewise with their
fellow man.
St. Francis
----- Original Message -----
From: Kelly L
To: [email protected]
Sent: Saturday, June 09, 2007 11:59 PM
Subject: Re: OT - Phelix...and lessons learned.
At 09:34 PM 6/9/2007, you wrote:
this is where I will disagree. does it hurt for a few weeks. Yes it does but
a good vet gives good pain medication. Are there long term consequences, That
is debatable, A close friend, fellow rescuer and Feline behaviorist plus RVT
has had all 14 of her cats declawed, In the past when I actually had furniture
and a dog that lost an eye just about I chose to declay the front toes. Yes I
know what is involved,
the cat went on the live a happy and very healthy 15 more years.
Now that I have given up drapes furniture and dogs that live in close
proximity with my cats i would never do it, but I have adopted out cat to
people I knew would, but I also knew what wonderful cat parents they are.
Braces a cruel and frequently put on our kids for only cosmetic reasons, we
subject our kids to years of discomfort,
I would opt for a declaw rather than to have a cat tossed outside by one or
the other care giver.
and to euthanize a cat instead makes me see red.
Kelly
Beth, it's not my "never declaw ideal" that made me say that, it is my
genuine belief that declawing causes long term physical and psychological
suffering, and I do not think putting a suffering cat through more things to
make it suffer more is a correct course of action. Two wrongs don't make a
right. Declawing is 100% cruel and inhumane, and euthanasia is 100% humane when
done correctly. To me, there is no gray area there, it's black and white. To
eliminate suffering, yes, I will euthanise an animal. I do not have those
strong no-kill ideals others have these days. My son bites his fingernails
until they bleed sometimes... would I ever THINK to even consider amputating
his fingers to solve that problem? True, it WOULD completely eliminate the
problem, and his self-mutilation, but at what cost? That's how I feel about it.
That's just me, personally. I'd like to see a $1000 fine and mandatory 90 days
in jail for felony animal cruelty for anyone that has a cat declawed - that and
the revoking of veterinary licenses for any vet that does the surgery. But I
admit, I'm totally way on one side of the fence on declawing - probably to the
point of being impractical and even a bit of a lunatic.
Phaewryn
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