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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / February 2007Houston Humane Society offering Valentine's Day special to "declaw cats"
This is disgusting! I wrote a few days ago in a thread in h+b to defend some of the HSUS practices, but this is absolutely revolting. Read what the Houston Humane Society (note: Houston, not the national HSUS) is advertising as a "Valentine's Day special" for cats (free neutering accompanied by a *reduced rate for front paw declawing*): "We will be neutering 300 male cats only (NO FEMALES) that day. There will be no general public surgery-other than the male cats. We will be declawing only a small amount of male cats for the normal price of $60 (front paws only)." The flyer also says, "Show your cat you love him on Valentine's Day by helping him live a longer, healthier life." In other words, they are really saying: show your cat you love him by mutilating his front feet. I am going to contact them and let them know exactly what I think. You can see the flyer advertising this "special" here: http://www.houstonhumane.org/spay.aspx Here is the number they listed to schedule appointment and receive pre-operative instructions: 713-433-6421 And here is the email address they listed for support and donations: admin@houstonhumane.org I cross-posted this message to several cats newsgroups. I am posting it separately to rpca because I know there are some readers on this newsgroup who do not read cross-posted messages. I think it is an abomination for a "humane society" to perform declawing, and I hope some of you will write or call.  SignatureMaryL On Feb 11, 12:44�pm, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote: > This is disgusting! I wrote a few days ago in a thread in h+b to defend > some of the HSUS practices, but this is absolutely revolting. I doubt they are affiliated with the HSUS in any way. "Humane Society" is just a name, just a synonym for "animal shelter".... No local humane societies are a part of the HSUS, AFAIK. But that *is* the most appalling thing I have ever heard of. I just can't wrap my brain around *any* organization calling itself a "humane society" advocating declaw. "Show your cat you love him" !!!???? I'm firing off an e-mail *and* snail mail, today. Sherry On Feb 11, 12:44?pm, "MaryL" <stanco...@yahoo.comTAKE-OUT-THE-LITTER> wrote: > This is disgusting! I wrote a few days ago in a thread in h+b to defend > some of the HSUS practices, but this is absolutely revolting. I doubt they are affiliated with the HSUS in any way. "Humane Society" is just a name, just a synonym for "animal shelter".... No local humane societies are a part of the HSUS, AFAIK. But that *is* the most appalling thing I have ever heard of. I just can't wrap my brain around *any* organization calling itself a "humane society" advocating declaw. "Show your cat you love him" !!!???? I'm firing off an e-mail *and* snail mail, today. Sherry Yes, that is correct, and I should have mentioned it in my mesages. The link I posted is to the Houston Humane Society. I went to the HSUS page and could not find anything similar. In fact, there are a number of links there in opposition to declawing: http://www.hsus.org/ http://www.hsus.org/search.jsp -- MaryL I know what you mean. I sent an email and I almost called them the "Inhumane Society" but figured they'd stop reading right there. Rhonda > I just > can't wrap my brain around *any* organization calling itself a "humane > society" advocating declaw. "Show your cat you love him" !!!???? I'm > firing off an e-mail *and* snail mail, today. > > Sherry > This is disgusting! I wrote a few days ago in a thread in h+b to defend > some of the HSUS practices, but this is absolutely revolting. Read what [quoted text clipped - 25 lines] > "humane society" to perform declawing, and I hope some of you will write > or call. Once again, I let my fingers move faster than my brain. The Houston Humane Society is not advertising a "special rate" on declawing. The special is for free neutering, but declawing can also be done at the "regular rate" of $60.00. If anything, though, that makes it *even worse* to think that the Humane Society would think of declawing as a "normal" thing to do and would even sponsor it. I think I am going to be sick!! -- MaryL > This is disgusting! I wrote a few days ago in a thread in h+b to defend > some of the HSUS practices, but this is absolutely revolting. Read what the [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > only a small amount of male cats for the normal price of $60 (front paws > only)." I didn't think ANY reputable vets declawed, any more! Although cats are very adaptable, and a declawed cat will climb and "sharpen" its claws and knead and behave just like any other cat, declawing DOES involve amputating toes. My little Cendrillon (declawed before I met her) sometimes walks as though her feet hurt, and I suspect they may. > "We will be neutering 300 male cats only (NO FEMALES) that day. > There will be no general public surgery-other than the male cats. We > will be declawing only a small amount of male cats for the normal > price of $60 (front paws only)." Response from Houston Humane Society: Ms. McQuown- The Houston Humane Society does not in any way PROMOTE the declawing of cats. We understand the harsh realities of the procedure and the rare but problematic side effects that can occur. Our employees suggest other alternatives whenever possible, and we only offer declawing at the time of spay and neuter surgery to eliminate unnecessary time under anesthesia, and to deter people from declawing cats mindlessly before considering alternatives. We provide declawing surgery because we feel that the only thing more risky than declawing a cat is abandoning a cat for destructive scratching behavior that doesn't respond well to repeated deterrents. We encourage our clients and potential adopters to try every alternative first, but we provide the procedure because the BIGGEST heartbreak to the animal world is having pets turned loose and made homeless because of destructive behaviors. HHS employees have appeared on numerous local television news broadcasts to educate Houstonians about the realities of cat scratching and why it is a necessity. In fact, just two weeks ago we did a segment on KPRC Local 2 about why cats scratch (exercise, shedding the dead skin cells, stretching, etc.), and that segment taught people about humane alternatives to "retrain" your cat if he or she is exhibiting destructive scratching behavior. We also tell people about Soft Paws. We give verbal advice and written materials to any clients and potential adopters with questions about the realities of declawing. Every single one of us here at the HHS appreciates your willingness to teach people about the grisly realities of declawing, and I hope that you educate the people in your life about alternatives to declawing. We would be happy if no cat owner ever requested to declaw their cat rather than give it up or turn it loose. The Houston Humane Society the BIGGEST heartbreak to the animal world is having pets turned loose and made homeless because of destructive behaviors. They are wrong, and Persia is a prime example. It is an even bigger heartbreak when they are first mutilated for perfectly normal behavior and the abandoned because it creates more behavior problems instead of eliminating them. Only now they are homeless and can't defend or feed themselves. Jo >> "We will be neutering 300 male cats only (NO FEMALES) that day. >> There will be no general public surgery-other than the male cats. We [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > The Houston Humane Society ...It is an even bigger heartbreak when they are first mutilated for perfectly normal behavior and then abandoned because it creates more behavior problems instead of eliminating them. Only now they are homeless and can't defend or feed themselves. > Jo Well said, Jo. I hope you or Jill will reply to the Houston Humane Society as a response to the message they sent Jill. I haven't seen the show in quite a while, but I think the Houston Humane Society is one of the organizations featured on Animal Planet. I think the show is Animal Rescue or something like that. I can't remember for sure. Annie > the BIGGEST heartbreak to > the animal world is having pets turned loose and made homeless because [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Jo Persia is an example of an abandoned but already front-declawed cat who demanded I let her in my house! LOL I've no idea what possessed whoever she lived with before to leave her behind or whatever they did. Lord knows I tried to find her owners. And thankfully I didn't! Such people don't deserve to own such a sweet wonderful cat as Persia :) She snuggles with me every night. I'm still not buying the Houston Humane Society's story. Why only neuter males for this "special"? I can't see that it would take much more of the (I assume) volunteer vet's time? And after all, the females ARE the ones that get pregnant. And they aren't talking about ferals, after all. This offer was for pet owners. So what does this say, fix the guys and don't worry, no gals will ever get pregnant? Someone needs to give them a lesson in sex education. Jill >>> "We will be neutering 300 male cats only (NO FEMALES) that day. >>> There will be no general public surgery-other than the male cats. [quoted text clipped - 39 lines] >> >> The Houston Humane Society <snippage> > I'm still not buying the Houston Humane Society's story. Why only > neuter males for this "special"? I can't see that it would take much [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > > Jill Here's an odd look at it - maybe there's a problem in that area where males (cats, not people :D) aren't getting neutered? I know of one guy DH knows who hasn't gotten his cats neutered because they're both male and "they aren't the ones producing kittens" (yeah - he's a dumbass, and unfortunately, he himself has procreated).... ><snippage> >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] >aren't the ones producing kittens" (yeah - he's a dumbass, and >unfortunately, he himself has procreated).... Having worked for a vet I can tell you that neutering a male is VASTLY easier and quicker than spaying a female. Neutering a male is literally a 5 minute procedure. We used to lay out 6-8 cats on the OR table and just go down the line. Took about 30 minutes. Surgical instrument was either a single scalpel, or often just a single edge razor blade. Spaying a female is major surgery, requiring an incision into the abdominal cavity, removal of the uterus and ovaries, and suturing two layers of tissue; inner with absorbable suture; outer with silk. Strict sterile surgical condition must be maintained, including a number of sterile instruments in a 'spay pack' for each cat. Much, much more time consuming than neutering a male cat. Don't get me started on declawing: that's why I had to leave. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ "Life without cats would be only marginally worth living." -TC, and the unmercifully, relentlessly, sweet calico kitty, Kenzie. How you behave towards cats here below determines your status in Heaven. - Robert Heinlein Life is very difficult. Once you understand that, life becomes easier. -Buddha > Having worked for a vet I can tell you that neutering a male is VASTLY > easier and quicker than spaying a female. That's what i was thinking would probably be the reason. They can do so many more males than females. When Caliban was snipped, he spent a total of two hours at the vet's. SignatureMarina, Miranda and Caliban. In loving memory of Frank and Nikki. Stories and pics at http://koti.welho.com/mkurten/ Pics at http://s120.photobucket.com/albums/o185/frankiennikki/ http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki >> Having worked for a vet I can tell you that neutering a male is VASTLY >> easier and quicker than spaying a female. > > That's what i was thinking would probably be the reason. They can do so > many more males than females. When Caliban was snipped, he spent a total > of two hours at the vet's. Yep, if they wanted to do a lot in one day -- it would have to be males. You can't do a mass spay if you're doing any kind of safe surgery. Rhonda >> Having worked for a vet I can tell you that neutering a male is VASTLY >> easier and quicker than spaying a female. > > That's what i was thinking would probably be the reason. They can do so > many more males than females. When Caliban was snipped, he spent a total > of two hours at the vet's. Yes, it's easier and much quicker to neuter males than to spay females. Moreover, one male can impregnate many females -- so, it is fairly common for humane organizations to offer this service only for males. They want to take care of as many as possible and quickly (but safely) as possible. MaryL >>> Having worked for a vet I can tell you that neutering a male is VASTLY >>> easier and quicker than spaying a female. [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > MaryL Of course if you look at it the other way, you can neuter 90% of the males and have no effect on the cat population. Neutering one female kitten will most likely have a very positive long term effect. Jo > <snippage> >> [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > male and "they aren't the ones producing kittens" (yeah - he's a > dumbass, and unfortunately, he himself has procreated).... True, but cut off the source of female cats going into heat and then what are the males cats going to do? If they don't have a source then perhaps they can run off and rub themselves against their owners. LOL Intact male dogs can be that way; I know, I had one. Jill "Magic Mood Jeep?" <nobody@nowhere.net> wrote: > I know of one guy DH knows who hasn't gotten his cats neutered > because they're both male and "they aren't the ones producing > kittens" (yeah - he's a dumbass, and unfortunately, he himself has > procreated).... Perhaps without even realizing it? :) After all, he's not the one popping the babies out. Joyce, wondering if he knows how babies are made >> "We will be neutering 300 male cats only (NO FEMALES) that day. >> There will be no general public surgery-other than the male cats. We [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > The Houston Humane Society OMG disgusting! People don't abandon their cats because they claw the furniture. They abandon cats because they don't want to put time and effort into the cat, and this extends to everything. PYou've got our support on this. > we only offer declawing at the > time of spay and neuter surgery to eliminate unnecessary time under > anesthesia, and to deter people from declawing cats mindlessly before > considering alternatives. I don't understand how offering declawing as part of a 2-in-1 procedure will deter people from having a cat declawed mindlessly. If anything, it increases the mindlessness, "Oh, why not? Might as well, since she's getting spayed anyway." Joyce >> we only offer declawing at the > > time of spay and neuter surgery to eliminate unnecessary time under [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Joyce I agree with you, Joyce. I think that would be an uneducated (if that's even right to say) person's immediate decision - declaw, they're under anesthesia anyway! In my opinion, why give someone an option? Why do vets still offer this punishment? It's cruel, it's wrong and it's harmful. On the other hand, I wish, when Tyrone is on my lap, he wouldn't dig in so much. :~) That kneading thing. Man does that hurt! I have scars on my belly and legs from inflicted wounds. My clothes have holes in them, but still, I'd NEVER declaw him. No way. He's destructive, he's brazen, he destroys EVERYTHING, but declaw him, no. Not an option in this house. kili -- http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kilikini I can answer that it is because most Americans and parts of the world still sees animals as property. Plus you would get the scumbags that would scream bloody murder that you were taking away their rights and decisions if you made something illegal. Slowly but surely it is coming change takes time force it down someone throat and they rebel no matter if it is good for them or not. >>> we only offer declawing at the >> > time of spay and neuter surgery to eliminate unnecessary time under [quoted text clipped - 23 lines] > -- > http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kilikini It's illegal in Australia and everyone still survives. And I doubt that means increased dumping. >I can answer that it is because most Americans and parts of the world still >sees animals as property. [quoted text clipped - 33 lines] >> -- >> http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/kilikini > It's illegal in Australia and everyone still survives. And I doubt > that means increased dumping. Thankfully it's illegal in most countries outside the USA, I hope one day it will be illegal there as well. SignatureAdrian (Owned by Snoopy and Bagheera) Cats leave pawprints on your heart. http://community.webshots.com/user/clowderuk >> It's illegal in Australia and everyone still survives. And I doubt >> that means increased dumping. > > Thankfully it's illegal in most countries outside the USA, I hope one day > it > will be illegal there as well. Let's keep purring it is... > I can answer that it is because most Americans and parts of the world still > sees animals as property. [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > Slowly but surely it is coming change takes time force it down someone > throat and they rebel no matter if it is good for them or not. Yeah, but it's not other parts of the world. We're about the only country who declaws routinely for owner convenience. It's shameful. I don't think it has much to do with "rights". It has to do with a real failing on the part of American veterinarians to educate people. After all, declaw is good revenue for them. A few don't declaw. But they're the minority. Sherry > Yeah, but it's not other parts of the world. We're about the only > country who declaws routinely for owner convenience. It's shameful. > I don't think it has much to do with "rights". It has to do with a > real failing on the part of American veterinarians to educate people. > After all, declaw is good revenue for them. A few don't declaw. But > they're the minority. It's legal in Canada. Susan M Otis and Chester > > Yeah, but it's not other parts of the world. We're about the only > > country who declaws routinely for owner convenience. It's shameful. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > Susan M > Otis and Chester Susan, it was my impression (from reading another group, I think)...that Canadians don't routinely declaw so much as Americans. That it was not nearly as prevalent there. Do you think that's true? Sherry >> > Yeah, but it's not other parts of the world. We're about the only >> > country who declaws routinely for owner convenience. It's shameful. [quoted text clipped - 13 lines] > > Sherry Does anyone know how prevalent it actually is in the US? For all I hear about it, I really know of very few declawed cats. Jo >>> we only offer declawing at the >> > time of spay and neuter surgery to eliminate unnecessary time under [quoted text clipped - 22 lines] > kili > -- I recommend wearing several thin layers of clothing rather than one thicker one. Two or three t-shirts rather than a sweater, etc. It works kind of like kevlar when the clawed ones get carried away. Jo Oh brother, if they really believe this is a last-ditch effort, they are going about it the wrong way. Why post a newspaper offering to declaw for $60? I don't really believe that people are showing up with their cats that day for surgery and $60, only to find the front desk person trying to talk them out of it. Rhonda > We encourage our clients and potential adopters to try every alternative > first, but we provide the procedure because the BIGGEST heartbreak to > the animal world is having pets turned loose and made homeless because > of destructive behaviors.
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