Declawing article on NBC - This needs all the publicity it can get

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

As far as I know it's not a pedigree thing - ie no more likely to be carried out on pedigree cats.  But I imagine a lot of true cat lovers will find it a abhorent.  Reputable breeders will put stuff in the contract of sale about neutering etc. so it's a perfect opportunity for them to also specify that the cat is not declawed.

This is an interesting article about declawing btw.  There doesn't seem to be many studies carried out on after effects of declawing, but this article contains references to studies that indicate there are health and behavioural problems in declawed cats.

http://www.goodcatswearblack.com/declawing/about_declawing.htm

[Dawn F]

meant to say about this - I got a book on orientals from america the other day and in it it has a draft copy of the a contract for breeders and it expressly says declawing should not be carried out - does anyone know if that is usual for pedigrees in the USA?

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

While there is definitely an element of ignorance, it's clearly not entirely down to that.  There are many people who research it and still go ahead. 

[dolcetta46]

I do indeed like to believe that the majority of the declawing case is due to ignorance, but sadly it must also have something to do with the general mentality of the people of the mighty u$ and a.  "THEIR" own interest and convenience comes first no matter what, if the other party must be sacrificed in some way, well, sorry about that... just like their policy of international relations.
Shameful but I must say it is true.

[Beanie]

Grrr!  Automatic site sensorship again. C-o-c-k fighting is not a rude term.

[Beanie]

Just re-read my post. I know my typing leaves one hell of a lot to be desired but I'm sure I wrote 'fluffybanana fighting'. I haven't got a clue where 'fluffy banana' fighting came from unless it has been deemed rude by some automated correction system on this site designed to cut out offensive words!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Susanne, Thanks for the confirmation about the AWA.

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Whilst it is not illegal in the UK (although I am sure how this has changed since the Animal Welfare Act) it is not permitted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons who are the governing body of the UK veterinary profession.

I believe it is outlawed by the Animal Welfare Act.  It's classed as 'mutilation' which is illegal.  Declawing isnt' actually mentioned, but the definition of mutilation would include declawing for non medical reasons.  I think tail docking in dogs is exempt, but that is the only exemption.

My boys are pretty good with scratching.  I do have scratch posts all over the place though    But if they do scratch the sofa then so what.  It's only a piece of furniture and it doens't greet me at the door when I come home from work like my boys do.

[Beanie]

I have respect for many things that the US Humane Society fight and campaign against - banned dog fights, canned hunts, fluffybanana fighting, to name a few. However, they are not doing enough to bring declawing up the agenda and make Americans face what they are actually doing to their animals. Like people, cats are not nicely packaged products who fit a perfect specification. For christ sake you have to work at all relationships. How difficult is that to understand? No wonder there are so many dysfunctional Americans on Oprah style shows.

The aforementioned list of pursuits are rightly classed as cruelty to animals and practiced by cold hearted people with no love, respect or concern for animals. However, in one way, declawing is even worse. It is practiced in parts of American society by many so called animal lovers.

If one stage up from the bas**** who kill for fun is declawing for alleged necessity and care, God help us. However, the Americans want to dress it up with their spin and neatly packaged phrases and sentences, declawing is a barbaric prcatice of mutilation. It has no place in ordinary society let alone one that claims to be civilised and lectures the world on that very subject.

Declawing is abhorred and not practiced in large parts of Western Europe, Australia and South Africa. This includes the UK. Whilst it is not illegal in the UK (although I am sure how this has changed since the Animal Welfare Act) it is not permitted by the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons who are the governing body of the UK veterinary profession.

I will not hold my breath whilst there is a George Bush lead administartion, as his track record on animal care concerns or environmental issues is beneath contempt. As for a Democratic Election victory in November, who knows? The previous Democartic candidate John kerry at least hads some pro animal welfare views when questioned.

So I say to any American in particular, look very closely at waht the operation involves, research it and say NO. Time to join the civilised world.

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

LOL Mark, mine aren't too bad on my sofa and chairs, but anything with wood on, they are there   

I can't think of a single reason why it's acceptable that a cat is declawed other than medical, and they call themselves loving owners, I can think of another name for them   

[Mark]

We have a habitat sofa in the kitchen - they loved it from day one. It is now just a few threads hanging 

[Dawn (DiddyDawn)]

This is a subject that makes my boil, my cats claw most of our stuff, including the door frames and bannister.  They have scratch posts but cats are cats and not once would I ever dream of wanting them to be declawed     

[Lily]

I don't understand how clawing things can drive people to do this.  Maybe I'm lucky and have a very well behaved cat but when I get her claws trimmed, even when she scratches my rug and sofa she doesn't do any damage.  I think it's horrid that people think that this is OK to do to animals when all they're doing is what comes naturally to them.

[Mark]

I didnt like this statement though:

' Both the AVMA and the Humane Society suggest that pet owners try as many other options as possible before declawing. But neither organization wants the procedure banned.'

The American Humane society is the one that gave Iams a Humane achievement award last year 

[Susanne (urbantigers)]

Good points made about owners not knowing fully what the procedure involves, but that almost reads like a pro declawing article.  The owner featured in there is painted as someone who cares about her cat but just had to get him declawed due to scratching    Like there was no alternative.  Thats the really worrying thing about declawing.  Although many people are just ignorant of the procedure, there's a lot who reasearch it and still go ahead.  They see scratching as a problem and declawing as a solution.  A sort of necessary evil.

[Gillian Harvey]

I didnt like this statement though:

' Both the AVMA and the Humane Society suggest that pet owners try as many other options as possible before declawing. But neither organization wants the procedure banned.'

[Mark]

The article says that a lot of people don't even realise how painful and crippling it is as vets sell it along with neutering and microchipping as a rotine procedure. The more the American public read about it, the better.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23467802/