Declawing - cruel and painful
Why we don't allow declawing in our adoption contract?
Written by Veterinarian, Dr. Christianne Schelling.
If you are considering declawing your cat, please read this. Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know.
Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period.
And remember that during the time of recuperation from the surgery your cat would still have to use its feet to walk, jump, and scratch in its litter box regardless of the pain it is experiencing. No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.
Many countries have forbidden declawing. Here are the countries where it is illegal.
- Australia
- Austria
- Belgium
- Brazil
- Denmark
- England
- Finland
- France
- Holland
- Ireland
- North Ireland
- Italy
- Japan
- Norway
- New-Zealand
- Portugal
- Scotland
- Slovenia
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Walles
- Yougoslavia
If you wish to know how to declaw a kitten, click on the following link: http://declaw.lisaviolet.com/declawpics.html
Some pictures might offend you. Not recommended for sensitive hearts.