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De clawing cats.

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Gypsy

Gypsy

Super_Ideal_Rock
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Aug 8, 2005
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If you were surrendering your cat, or fostering a cat waiting to go to a home... would you allow the parent''s to de-claw the cat?

This is an educational post as an FYI. We talk about this from time to tme and there are strong opinions on this issue. I myself hold one. Even though it means that Lucy, my foster, stays with me, instead of going to a permanent home. Just because I do not believe in de-clawing except as a last resort, and even not then.

I have had people say they''d take her and get her declawed and the entire issue makes me see CRIMSON because she''s not a destructive cat. She is very good with her claws and doesn''t harm furniture o walls, or floors in anyway. And I refuse to let someone''s ingnorance maim a cat in my care.

Now maybe I am being selfish and depriving Lucy of a home. But I personally consider it my responsibility as her guardian, who took on her care, to make sure that she is not mutaliated because of someone else''s ingorance. I won''t tollerate it.

It was my decision to take her in. I could have left her out there. But when I did I assumed a responsibility for her well being, and for me that includes her fingers. De-clawing does NOT just remove claws it mutilates a cats fingers, many vets will not do it. AND CERTAINLY will not do it to an older cat (sometimes kittens will adjust better).

So am I being a good mommy by keeping her, even if she is confined to a bedroom and cries at nights and breaks my heart. My keeping her until I find the right home for her?

Or am I being selfish?

Or would it be selfish for me to give her away just because her crying and lonliness were praying on MY MIND, and it would make my life easier to give her up to the first decent home that I found for her... even if they were going to declaw her?

What are your thoughts? I will be respectful to differring perspectives from my own. Like I said this is an educational post, and I want to hear your opinions. and will respect you the convictions of them.
 
no...never. that is horrible and I personally have seen changes in the cats mood for the worst after its been done. I tell people...let me chop off your final knuckle and then lets do the same to the cat.

dont do it.

joe
 
As another peice of information, the cat''s ''would be parent''s'' have ''promised'' that they''d let the cat out. Makes no difference to me. Cats escape, people move, people die and the cat has done nothing to deserve torture and multiation. I don''t care if it''s going to be indoors only, and if the potential owners really could promise that they''d NEVER get out. It''s a NO way in heck for me.
 
I absolutely believe you''re doing the right thing. I think foresight is better than hindsight in this situation, and I think you''ll have a hard time sleeping at night if you let her go because of your principles on declawing. The right home is worth the wait, and all cats really need is sustinence, toys, and love.
 
hi gypsy :)

i am ABSOLUTELY WITH YOU on this!

imagine fostering a child, and a couple saying they''d take him/her, but first they wanted to have all 20 nails removed in case they scratched the furniture. like - um - hallo??

cats relax by scratching, they instinctually form nests, the knead as a signal of comfort and a drop-over from when they''d knead their mother''s belly to get her to let down milk. but most of all they scratch to shed old claws to keep them sharp and useful - their main use being as a form of balance for their impeccable movement. claws for cats are like spikes on boots for football players, or mountain climbers. taking them away is like asking them to go through life without their normal level of balance, and it''s generally considered to be unnerving for a cat and a negative effect on the cat''s balance and movement.

i think putting a cat in a new home, then immediately making her wobbly on her feet and devoid, in her head, of protection, is...well...cruel.

i''m with you - i wouldnt do it. and even if she cries at night, at least she''s with someone with her best interests at heart, and that counts for a lot in my opinion.

hoping her real forever home presents itself soon - but am pleased she has you to guard her till it does. good job, foster-mom. :)
 
I''ve had 7 cats over the years growing up. I never even considered declawing one. They need their claws to protect themselves, especially if they ever go outside and believe me they can escape. My cats never destroyed any of my furniture. They had scratching posts and I also trimmed their nails myself, which also cut down a lot of the scratching they would do anyway.

Funny thing, I have been on mini-schnauzer boards and found it interesting that except for the US it is illegal to dock a dog''s tail in other countries. I wonder if declawing is only accepted in the US.
 
Gypsy, I agree with the other posters 100%! Declawing cats is mutilation, and I am totally against it. Good on you for sticking to your gut and taking care of the cat until another family comes along.

I think if you want to keep an animal as a pet, then you have to deal with what comes along with it. If you don''t want you furniture to potentially be clawed by an animal, it''s simple- don''t get an animal. I guess to me, an animals quality of life is more important than what my furniture might look like.
 
Thank you Whitby, as I said I see CRIMSON on the topic. You stated many of the issues I was too angry to.

For me, when I take on the care of an animal, I insert myself into their lives, take them off the streets, and bring them into my home. I am their guardian. And yes, it inconveniences me, and my husband, and my resident cats but if I make the decision I see it through. I make the decision with open eyes, I take the cat to the vet, I get it screened, I make sure it's healthy, I socialize it as much as possible, I love it and care for it. And I stop thinking of myself and my convienience. I really do. I don't think that makes me holier than thou, or special, and I DO NOT DO IT for praise, or whatever. I don't even expect a pat of the back. That healthy FAT cat in the bedroom is all the reward I need. When she purs and curls up on me it's worth the world to me. And even if she cries when we're not in there, it's worth it for me to hold on to the hope that it will all be worthwhile when she finds "the right home"... not just "a home". If I wanted to give her away to the first people willing to take her because it makes my life easier, I won't be doing my job as a foster mom. And frankly the cat might have been better off on the street... so that someone responsible could take them in and do right by them.

Being a foster is hard. Harder than being the pet's owner, I think. I keep doing it, and will keep doing it once Lucy goes to the home that is right for her though. And with the next cat, and the cat after that. I will not allow them to de-claw.

I'm actually spending the morning revising my adoption contract. And I do very careful screening of the homes I place my cats in. With the execption of Missy/Victoria (because AmberG and I are friends and I KNOW her) I check vet references, do a home check and make sure the person spends time with the cat to make sure there is a foundation for the relationship. And I require the cat returned to me if it doesn't work out.

And I'm thinking of not waiting for the lottery or whatever. I think this week I'm going to look into forming my own non-profit rescue and seeing what I can do. I'm tired of this. If I get non-profit status and form a group I can help more than one at a time. And I think I've hit the point where I need to.
 
I trim my cat''s nails regularly, and he never claws anything--he has no need to. If I can wrestle a big old whopping maine coon with a prior record of abuse and neglect that makes him skittish, I think any pet owner can figure out a way to maintain their animal''s nails WITHOUT surgical mutilation. Also, think of how much money I saved by investing in kitty clippers for $2.99. Kinda seems like a no-brainer!

Gypsy, stick to your guns, hon. The only time a cat ever NEEDS to be de-clawed is if they have really serious medical issues with ingrown nails, and after having had at least 20 cats in my lifetime, many of which were polydactyl, we''ve only ever had this occur once, and the vet only removed the nail of the one finger having issues.
 
HRally, Seastar, socool (love the new av) and Erinleigh... thank you all. And ((HUGE)) hugs. Like I said I get vedry emotional about this. Erin... I totally ditto this: "I guess to me, an animals quality of life is more important than what my furniture might look like." and will add that I have three intact cats, and bueatiful furniture and a lovley home regardless.


Doodle... the image of you and the Maincoon! FMIL's cat Noel was the worst about manicures. She made it seem like battle of the titans each time. LOL. I know a lot of people have had sucess with softpaws. Declawing is irresponsible, ignorant, selfish and lazy. Frankly, not qualities I look for in potential parents for my cats.
 
It''s illegal over here however even if it wasn''t, I would never do it. You''re definitely doing the right thing Gypsy.
 
I am not anti-declaw myself but it is your cat. If you are not in a rush to find her home, she doesnt need to be declawed etc.. then keep her. You of course don't not have to give your cat to anyone who doesnt meet your criteria in the first place.

I rather see a cat declawed & remain in it's home rather than it go to the pound where it will most likely be euthanized when it's owner has had enough of scratching.
 
If you''re fostering a cat because you found it and out of the goodness of your heart you want to give it a good home, I think that you can choose whoever you want to be the kitty''s new parents and use whatever criteria you wish, right down to simple gut instinct, regardless of whether that''s fair or not.

However, if you''re fostering for a shelter or specific rescue program, then I think you need to abide by the program/shelter''s rules and standards for potential adoptive parents.
 
Stick to your guns, Gypsy - ask your potential new "parents" if they would chop off their child''s fingers to prevent any future "possible" issue (thumb-sucking, maybe)?

I couldn''t imagine doing that to Sweetie. When I decided to adopt I figured if the cat was already declawed, fine, but I wasn''t going to do it (and it''s also in my adoption contract). A friend of mine has declawed both of hers and it''s so sad to see them fall off of something they''re trying to jump up on because they can''t hold on. Sweetie has done a fair amount of damage to my furniture/carpet but I chalk it up to having a pet - it''s a sacrifice I''m willing to make. Hmm... living being vs couch - I think the cat wins
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Gypsy I''m totally with you. Yeah, she''d have a permanent home, but she''d be mutilated in the process. Heck no I wouldn''t give that sweet girl to somebody that said they''d declaw her. HECK no. I''ve got a cat that loves to scratch carpets, couches, chairs, duvets...that''s *my* failing. There''s no way I''d get him declawed, and I can''t imagine opting to declaw a cat that ISN''T destructive. What the heck is the point of doing it? I just don''t understand people that say, "Oh, I want that wonderful cat. Item 1 on the agenda: take off part of their fingers."

I''m honestly so happy there are people like you. Yes, she''s crying right now. But when she finds the right home, you''ll breathe so much easier knowing that she''ll be well taken care of.
 
I''m privately fostering El. :-)
 
Gypsy, I agree with not adopting out a cat to someone who would declaw Lucy. When I had to adopting out three of my cats, I interviewed everyone who called. One woman took the brother-sister kitty set I had and I believe her to be the perfect mommy to them. The other cat, now I realize, should have been adopted by a different type of family (he was a big male cat and adopted by a couple who lived in an apartment). . . there is nothing worse than knowing that he may have been better off somewhere else.

I''m not sure it''s right to have Lucy locked up in a bedroom, however, and I hope you''re able to find a good home for her soon.
 
Hi MC, I agree with you. We hate having her stuck there because she deserves so much more. But she really dislikes other cats and I have three. We've tried locking Hally and Frodo away and just having Lucy out with Duncan (who just doesn't care about other cats) and everytime she realized she wasn't alone it was attack of the wild and scary. I can't put my residents at risk either. So now Lucy goes with me to my grandparent's house and they cat sit her for a day or two a week (with us checking in) so she A) get more socialized and B) get out of the bedroom and C) gets more human attention than we can give her. And while the bedroom isn't ideal, it's a huge step up from the bathroom we had her in initially (we moved to a 2 bedroom for her) and better than a cage at a shelter. Especially since all the shelters around here who have room are kiill shelters. You do what you can, with what you have.
 
Gypsy, I would NEVER allow someone to take a cat if I knew or found out that they were going to declaw him/her or were not opposed to declawing him/her (in case they might consider it in the future). I''d rather see Lucy cry and feel a little confined than have her nails taken away.

You know how I feel about people letting their cats out...that''d be a dealbreaker for me too (escaping, different thing - although the way I see it is if a cat is "escaping" every other day, take more precautions)...
 
I agree with you, Gypsy. Someone who insists on de-clawing a cat in this situation isn''t really cut out to be a cat owner. IMHO.
 
I''m with most of the others - I would never declaw a cat, nor allow one of my cats (foster or not) to go to a home intent on declawing him or her. ESPECIALLY if it''s an adult cat. It seems that if the cats have had a traumatic history (neglect, abandonment, abuse, etc.) that they''ve now been rescued, and are being socialized and accustomed to being with other cats and with humans, we should NOT be adding on additional trauma such as declawing. And, declawing isn''t reversible, so what''s done is done
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Also, I think I read that declawing, especially as an adult, can lead to other negative behavior, like biting, because the cat''s primary means of defense has been taken away. Seriously, I would never do this.
 
I knew an older man who adopted cats and had them declawed. I can''t bear the thought, although I don''t know very much at all about cats. There must be better alternatives if an alternative is even needed. Don''t they even make claw covers? But anyway, you are perfectly rational to wait for a home that won''t declaw your cat. I do agree she needs a new home though, as it doesn''t sound like she''s too happy being cooped up all the time. I hope someone suitable comes along soon!
 
I would never declaw my cats, even though they have destroyed one of my chairs. I do try to clip their nails (although I often let this go). I want them to have their claws if they ever get out, and I think it is just plain wrong.

I think you are doing the right thing.
 
I"m having a difficult time typing because the little guy in my avatar is sleeping across my lap. I would never declaw a cat, I think it''s cruel. Mine are very good about using the scratching post,but you do have to accept a certain amount of damage. Looking at my little boy''s face, I think the trade off is well worth it.
 
OMG! Do people actually declaw their cats to suit their lifestyle, furniture, preferences?!?! This is torture and should be illegal.
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If you want to take an animal into your life, you should be prepared for everything and that includes some scratched furniture (I have lost an entire garden to my two labs and wouldn''t trade them for the world).

You are absolutely doing the right this Gypsy, be strong and don''t let it happen. You will find another home for your little furbaby.
 
Gypsy, you are doing the right thing. I don''t have cats, but I think it would be horrible to declaw a cat. Whoever came up with this idea first? that''s plain cruel.
 
No declawing...No No No No NEVER!!!

Do people really believe this is okay??
 
Declawing cats should be illegal here like it is in the rest of the world. It''s animal mutilation straight and simple. You are doing the right thing!
 
I think the best way to get the point across to folks about declawing is to compare to removing part of each toe and finger. Who could do that to their beloved pet??
 
Yes. There are many people who do this. Within a week of adopting them. Young or Old. Destructive or not.

I volunteered at a shelter for years. And some of the most heartbreaking returns were from declaws. Because cats can develop such bad ''revenge'' behaviours when this is done to them...hey can start spraying and biting and can get just plain MEAN poeple would surrender back to the shelter. Our shelter had a ''no declaw'' clause in the contract, but once the deed is done, even if you sue them for breach... it doesn''t help the cat. I worked with these cats KNEW them before their adoptions, then the owners would mutilate them and return them and your heart would break apart into tiny pieces. Because the animals spirit was injured and you could see it by the change in their eyes by the way they''d approach you. And it HURT. And it made me feel so impotent and so angry each time. Because there was no need. They didn''t wait. They didn''t try just trimming the paws. Didn''t try soft paws, didn''t try anything. they just cut that cat and hurt it, and returned it because that poor baby dared to be angry someone tortured it. And I do consider this animal torture. And I do believe it should be against the law.

 
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