Declawing against the LAW

Barbcbrose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
29
Purraise
36
Hi Everyone:

I recently saw someone in my town post on Facebook a picture of a beautiful 3 year old Siamese cat looking to rehome it, because it did not do well in their environment, "It needs more of a "Zen home", she said. The responses shocked me. "Is it declawed?" not one but several people asking if it was declawed, which infuriated me. I could not believe it! I had never heard of declawing cats until I came to the US. In my country, Guatemala, it does not exist, at least not that I am aware of. I have seen the spirits of cats be completely destroyed by being declawed. Is there a way we can create a movement, a Revolution to ban Declawing for Good? How can we start? I am willing to do whatever it takes. Thanks
 

NY cat man

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Messages
7,033
Purraise
21,284
Hi Everyone:

I recently saw someone in my town post on Facebook a picture of a beautiful 3 year old Siamese cat looking to rehome it, because it did not do well in their environment, "It needs more of a "Zen home", she said. The responses shocked me. "Is it declawed?" not one but several people asking if it was declawed, which infuriated me. I could not believe it! I had never heard of declawing cats until I came to the US. In my country, Guatemala, it does not exist, at least not that I am aware of. I have seen the spirits of cats be completely destroyed by being declawed. Is there a way we can create a movement, a Revolution to ban Declawing for Good? How can we start? I am willing to do whatever it takes. Thanks
I don't know about where you are, but here in NY it is already illegal to declaw cats. The law was passed 2 years ago.
 

NY cat man

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Aug 6, 2018
Messages
7,033
Purraise
21,284
Im in Atlanta, is there a way it can succeed in all States. Great to hear!
It would most likely have to be on a state-by-state basis, where people would have to convince their legislators of the necessity for such laws. There may be other states where declawing is banned, but I only know about mine for sure.
 

Lari

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Nov 18, 2017
Messages
10,993
Purraise
45,422
So far just NY and some cities, but looking up

Bills on cat declawing have been introduced and are now being considered in several states, including in New Jersey, Massachusetts and Connecticut. We also hope to see similar bills introduced this year or next in Nevada, California, Pennsylvania, Maryland and Illinois, among other states.

I'm glad to see IL on the hopeful list.

Barbcbrose Barbcbrose - like N NY cat man said, unfortunately it'll have to be done more state to state rather than federally. It's also important to speak with your money and choose vet practices that refuse to declaw if possible.
 

Jcatbird

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Dec 5, 2017
Messages
10,301
Purraise
58,378
Location
United States
I know Georgia still does it but I had a lengthy discussion with my vet over a couple of years . They don’t do it these days! You could try contacting one of the cat advocate groups . Many have petitions in place. I believe that Alley Cat Allies has an office near you. Try their website. Definitely work locally to stop that practice. Spread the word to educate people. Most are not aware of how declawing cripples a cat for life. When they learn and understand.’, I usually find that they are horrified and had no idea of the consequences. It is an older practice that is finally being heavily criticized. Finally! Join the crowd and make your voice heard. Help others to understand. Many fosters, shelters and rescuers now make adoption contracts include a “No Declawing rule.” If we a help to educate, then the practice should be banned nationwide in time. The more we work together, the quicker that will be possible. You might make suggestions online for that cat. There are simple claw caps that can be put on kitty, trimming the claws is a simple solution too. Cat scratcher posts are something I suggested my vet start selling. They did! Many vets declaw because of the demand for it more than anything. They don’t always explain long term consequences. I left pamphlets in my vets office about declawing problems. Lol I got permission though. Work with vets, fosters, shelters and rescuers. Open a dialogue to educate. Bravo to you for being shocked! Rightly so. Many places have banned the practice. We need to join them.
 

JulietteTruong

Sassy but sweet calico girl
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jun 22, 2019
Messages
365
Purraise
1,509
Location
Torrance, CA
One of my uncles declawed his cat years ago. Sometimes he hosts family gatherings, and every time I go I can’t help but secretly feel disgusted with him. But I keep it cordial on the surface, since we do not have the sort of relationship where we could ever talk about such things. Ugh but honestly, every time I see his cat, I can’t help but feel this way about him.
 

BellaGooch

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Mar 20, 2019
Messages
3,760
Purraise
8,049
I knew a cat who was declawed because she had a tendency to act out. I wasn’t as educated on cats at the time, but I did feel bad for her. It isn’t banned yet in California but I hope it will be soon.

God gave them claws for a reason and I think it’s cruel to take their claws away from our kitties.
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
Probably, the best way to stop people getting their cats declawed is to teach them what the procedure actually entails.

I believe that most people think it's just like a permanent manicure. They don't realize, nor do they stop to think that declawing a cat means amputating part of its toes. Most people don't understand that it permanently affects a cat's gait and often causes pain or discomfort for the rest of the cat's life.

This all goes on top of the fact that, if people let the cat go outside, it has no way to defend itself against wild animals like coyotes or (rabid) raccoons, both of which can easily kill a domesticated cat.

Right there, in just a few sentences, is enough to make most peoples' jaws drop.

You don't have to yell at or argue with people. Just tell them objectively.

If more people understood that declawing a cat is like cutting off a person's toes, I think they'd reconsider the idea.
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #14

Barbcbrose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
29
Purraise
36
It's been illegal in Australia for a long time.
And of course, TCS is very anti-declawing.
In our Forum Rules:

4. This website is anti-declawing. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing
Don't care about the opposition. Ready to do a revolution... :)
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
Just remember that revolution does not require belligerence.

Most people, when confronted, will stick to their beliefs even when they know that they are wrong. It's a form of narcissism and it's extremely common.

Instead of considering the information being presented, people will dismiss what they are being told, without even listening. Your arguments will only serve to entrench the person in their belief.

The way around this is to present your case in a more subtle way.

When somebody talks about getting a cat declawed, a better approach might be to say something like, "That would prevent your cat from walking correctly."
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #17

Barbcbrose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
29
Purraise
36
Thank you everyone for your kindness and all of your responses, I can't just even imagine who had the first idea to declaw cats and how the veterinarians do so... so disheartening to do such a thing. Hoping that all states make it illegal, will see what I can do... NO to DECLAWING cats... with Love... Barbara
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #18

Barbcbrose

TCS Member
Thread starter
Young Cat
Joined
Jun 2, 2021
Messages
29
Purraise
36
Just remember that revolution does not require belligerence.

Most people, when confronted, will stick to their beliefs even when they know that they are wrong. It's a form of narcissism and it's extremely common.

Instead of considering the information being presented, people will dismiss what they are being told, without even listening. Your arguments will only serve to entrench the person in their belief.

The way around this is to present your case in a more subtle way.

When somebody talks about getting a cat declawed, a better approach might be to say something like, "That would prevent your cat from walking correctly."
THank you, yes kindness and education perhaps is the best approach, even though it is angering and disheartening... thank you
 

Caspers Human

TCS Member
Top Cat
Joined
Feb 23, 2016
Messages
2,693
Purraise
4,703
Location
Pennsylvania
I truly don't think that people understand what declawing a cat really involves.

I feel certain that most people think that it just means removing the external part of the claw. As I said, they think it's like a permanent manicure. They have no idea that declawing a cat means amputating its toes.

Further, it's often done "guillotine style" where the end of the toe is summarily cut off with little attention to the anatomy of the cat's foot.

The thing that upsets me the most is the way people have such a casual attitude about it.

If they knew what declawing really is, I'm sure they'd be grossed out.
 

JulietteTruong

Sassy but sweet calico girl
Alpha Cat
Joined
Jun 22, 2019
Messages
365
Purraise
1,509
Location
Torrance, CA
I truly don't think that people understand what declawing a cat really involves.

I feel certain that most people think that it just means removing the external part of the claw. As I said, they think it's like a permanent manicure. They have no idea that declawing a cat means amputating its toes.

Further, it's often done "guillotine style" where the end of the toe is summarily cut off with little attention to the anatomy of the cat's foot.

The thing that upsets me the most is the way people have such a casual attitude about it.

If they knew what declawing really is, I'm sure they'd be grossed out.
That part. And to add to your point, I think people often don’t take into consideration how a cat’s claws are intrinsic to a cat’s sense of identity. Cats love to climb. They use their claws to mark territories. Their ability to hunt. Self-defense.

My friend adopted a cat who was previously declawed, and the poor thing had major PTSD. She simply could not be taken to the vet. She lashed out, vomited, pooped, pissed, drooled, it was impossible to get her into a carrier. We think it was because of the trauma of being declawed. They had to resort to in hone vet visits.

She was also super skittish, and always bit. You just knew that she was deeply damaged.

This isn’t the freakin 70’s anymore. It’s 2021, with all that we know today, it’s unacceptable to think that declawing is anything but barbaric.
 
Top