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Cat Forum / Cat Anecdotes / March 2005The story of Cammie (anti-declaw content)
Since my own cats have been rather boring lately (don't tell them I said that!) I thought I'd post Cammie's story. I posted it once long ago on h+b but I'm sure many people haven't seen it. It's one of many stories I collected when I worked as a vet tech for a feline specialty hospital... Cammie was a ten year-old brown tabby with white markings, surrendered for euthanasia by her "owner". The excuse was that the cat "leaked urine" and was "unclean", and wouldn't use the litter box regularly. The "owners" put her out in a garage and neglected her, where she sat around and ate all the time, becoming fatter and fatter. Cammie was approximately 6 lbs overweight when she was surrendered. She was so fat that she couldn't clean her butt or vaginal area. She had a raging vaginal infection. Even so, this was one of the sweetest, most endearing cats I have ever met. When you looked into her eyes, you could see the sense of betrayal and sadness this cat felt about how she had been treated and her abandonment. During her stay at the vet, we realized that she DID use the disposable paper box & paper filling regularly, and that she actually WAS NOT incontinent AT ALL. So, we spared her from euthanasia, and fixed her up. I also discovered that her front declaws were regrowing in about half of her toes, and that her feet were really sore. This was probably the reason she wouldn't use the regular cat litter at home. One of the employees took Cammie home to foster her until her medical condition improved, and the employee's little boy (age 2) renamed her Candy Yum-Yum. Candy Yum-Yum had her regrown declaws repaired, and she healed fairly quickly. She was then placed in a loving PERMANENT home, with a former employee (a vet tech) who had two other older cats and wanted a third. The last picture I saw of her was her napping in a fleece-lined teepee, smiling at the camera. It was a *very* happy ending for a cat who was destined to die at the hands of those who were supposed to love her and protect her. I was/am just so sad and disgusted that her supposed "loving owner" of ten years wouldn't give her the chance to live, like we did. Her story speaks volumes about the type of people who declaw, and proves the point that even when declawed, no cat is guaranteed a loving home. Stories like hers make me believe more strongly that a cat should be rehomed, rather than stay with people who threaten to get rid of the cat if it isn't declawed. With an owner like that, who needs enemies? -L. >>>Since my own cats have been rather boring lately (don't tell them I >>>said that!) I thought I'd post Cammie's story. I posted it once long >>>ago on h+b but I'm sure many people haven't seen it. It's one of many >>>stories I collected when I worked as a vet tech for a feline specialty >>>hospital... >>>Cammie was a ten year-old brown tabby with white markings, surrendered >>>for euthanasia by her "owner". <snip great story> >>>-L. Thank God for you and the wonderful people at your clinic. There is nothing that makes me more angry than people (and I use the term loosely) who think that animals and children are disposable. Anyone who could look into those sweet, trusting eyes and betray that trust is just not human. I am heartened by stories like this with a happy ending, but they always make me think of those with a sad outcome, and it just breaks my heart. Purrs to the family that took in Candy Yum-Yum (love that name) and gave her the love and happy forever home she deserved. Kerrie ---------------------<snip>---------------------- > Stories like >hers make me believe more strongly that a cat should be rehomed, >rather than stay with people who threaten to get rid of the cat if it >isn't declawed. With an owner like that, who needs enemies? I believe that someone who'll declaw a cat is looking for a house decoration, not a pet. We've adopted three declawed cats starting with one we were offered by a friend. At the time, we didn't know the implications of declawing. We fell in love with our Misty and looked for declawed adult cats when we wanted to adopts some more. We've learned a lot since then and have adopted another four with claws. They all get along. When I would post to the single cat group before the split, my sig line was, "If you want a declawed cat, adopt one." The presence of declawed adult cats up for adoption says a lot about the commitment to the animal of the pet 'owner'. It was non-existent. Regards and Purrs, O J > I believe that someone who'll declaw a cat is looking for a house > decoration, not a pet. We've adopted three declawed cats starting Exactly!  SignatureVictor M. Martinez Owned and operated by the Fantastic Seven (TM) Send your spam here: uce@ftc.gov Email me here: pistorLITTER@BOXaustin.rr.com > When I would post to the single cat group before the split, my sig > line was, "If you want a declawed cat, adopt one." The presence of > declawed adult cats up for adoption says a lot about the commitment to > the animal of the pet 'owner'. It was non-existent. I've got two declawed cats coming in to the shelter. This woman emailed that she has a new baby coming into the home, and the cats needs to go. I emailed her back a bunch of info on how to integrate cats and babies, explained how stressed the cats would be at the shelter, and to at least try it with the baby before giving up the cats. She emailed back that "the cats were not her primary concern" and "I have enjoyed the cats, but will enjoy my grandson more. Please let me know when and where to drop off the cats." Bleh!! I'm doing a segment on our shelter's low-budget cable show about cats and babies next week. That grandson better watch out! When a cuter grandbaby comes along, he's toast! Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > > When I would post to the single cat group before the split, my sig > > line was, "If you want a declawed cat, adopt one." The presence of [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > That grandson better watch out! When a cuter grandbaby comes along, he's > toast! Jeez. That makes me ILL. >> When I would post to the single cat group before the split, my sig >> line was, "If you want a declawed cat, adopt one." The presence of [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > doing a segment on our shelter's low-budget cable show about cats and > babies next week. Make sure she's on your shelter's "do not adopt to" list so she can come in later and adopt (and mutilate) another couple of cats, only to dump them (again) when her grandson is visiting again :( Also, make sure that she is mentioned on your show (not by name, of course, but her situation, and that it's an example of what *not* to do). > That grandson better watch out! When a cuter grandbaby comes along, > he's toast! Wonder if she treated her own children in this manner. I bet her family was strife with sibling rivalry. <shakes head in sadness> > -- > -Kelly > kelly at farringtons dot net > "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG I've always wondered, what (or who) is TMBG???? --? The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)? email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep > Also, make sure that she is mentioned on your show (not by name, of > course, but her situation, and that it's an example of what *not* to do). Good idea. I can have the cats on too and tell how they were displaced by a baby. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG >> Also, make sure that she is mentioned on your show (not by name, of >> course, but her situation, and that it's an example of what *not* to >> do). > > Good idea. I can have the cats on too and tell how they were > displaced by a baby. And not even HER baby - a grandbaby. I still shake my head when I think of a former neighbor who loved seeing Persia sitting in the front window. She said, "I'd love to have a cat but I'm pregnant; you can't have a cat around babies." Says who? Just keep the cat out of the babies' room if you're that concerned about it. Jill > And not even HER baby - a grandbaby. I still shake my head when I think > of [quoted text clipped - 4 lines] > babies." Says who? Just keep the cat out of the babies' room if you're > that concerned about it. Bah! What nonsense! I didn't even ask this woman if the grandbaby was coming to live with her, or what. By then, I just wanted the cats. It was clear that they are just possessions :( I'm 16 weeks pg with twins, and have 6 of my own cats and one foster. Only changes I've had to make is DH does the litterboxes, and I gave up my cleaning shift at the shelter. I took on some more paperwork stuff to make up for it. I have absolutely no plans on giving up my cats once the babies arrive. My two biggest fears are that the babies will be allergic, and/or a cat not adjusting well to the babies. Two of our cats can be a bit possessive. Bartleby is possessive of me (he's the one who kneads and mock-nurses in the morning) and Mia has claimed DH. He cradles her like a baby when we sit on the couch. I don't think the other cats will really take much notice of the babies. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > Bah! What nonsense! I didn't even ask this woman if the > grandbaby was coming to live with her, or what. By then, I just [quoted text clipped - 11 lines] > couch. I don't think the other cats will really take much > notice of the babies. I'm still amazed you're having twins!! I am not going to tell you about my babysitting experiences with my sisters twins. lol But I hope you're still able to post in a couple of years and tell us about their secret language. :) SignatureCheryl > I'm still amazed you're having twins!! I am not going to tell you > about my babysitting experiences with my sisters twins. lol But I > hope you're still able to post in a couple of years and tell us > about their secret language. :) Hehe! I can't believe it either! I hope I still have the time/energy to post in a few years :) Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG congratulations Kelly, I always wanted twins,and they always said it felt like I was having twinsbut the nearest I got was when I was fostering, I had twins to foster twice Jean.P. > > And not even HER baby - a grandbaby. I still shake my head when I think > > of [quoted text clipped - 24 lines] > kelly at farringtons dot net > "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG "jmcquown" <jmcquown@bellsouth.net> had some very interesting things to say about Re: The story of Cammie (anti-declaw content): >And not even HER baby - a grandbaby. I still shake my head when I think of >a former neighbor who loved seeing Persia sitting in the front window. She >said, "I'd love to have a cat but I'm pregnant; you can't have a cat around >babies." Says who? Just keep the cat out of the babies' room if you're >that concerned about it. Sheesh, my mother had no problems about bringing me home from the hospital into a home with pets (cats and dogs) and having animals around the house throughout my childhood. Worst injury I've ever had from an animal was a bite from a cat who was having some sort of seizure at the time (normally, this was a very sweet, gentle cat). Signature"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL > Sheesh, my mother had no problems about bringing me home from the > hospital into a home with pets (cats and dogs) and having animals > around the house throughout my childhood. Same here. I was the fourth child, and we had cats ever since I was born. I always say I was brought up by cats because Mum had given up (;o) ;o) ;o) just kidding, in case the smileys weren't enough. I think she was a good mother, and still one of my best friends). None of us contracted allergies, but I seem to remember reading that being exposed to allergens from a baby helps immunize against allergies. The jury may still be out on that. Anyway, the cats were never on purpose kept out of the baby's room (mine). I got used to being very close to them from an infant. When I got a little older, I soon learned to treat them with respect, and they were never punished for scratching me, because they were only defending themselves against grabby little hands. I think I've never been without scratches since then. I suppose I just grew up thinking it's natural to have cats climb all over you. ;o) SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki Marina <frankiennikki@yahoo.co.uk> had some very interesting things to say about Re: The story of Cammie (anti-declaw content): >> Sheesh, my mother had no problems about bringing me home from the >> hospital into a home with pets (cats and dogs) and having animals >> around the house throughout my childhood. >Same here. I was the fourth child, and we had cats ever since I was I was the first-born (my younger brother lived for a very brief period due to congenital heart problems). >born. I always say I was brought up by cats because Mum had given up >(;o) ;o) ;o) just kidding, in case the smileys weren't enough. I think [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >never been without scratches since then. I suppose I just grew up >thinking it's natural to have cats climb all over you. ;o) My mother's immediate reaction to my being scratched was "what did you do to the cat?" :-) Signature"The universe is quite robust in design and appears to be doing just fine on its own, incompetent support staff notwithstanding. :-)" - the Dennis formerly known as (evil), MCFL > My mother's immediate reaction to my being scratched was "what did you > do to the cat?" :-) My mother's was the same. :o) SignatureMarina, Frank and Nikki marina (dot) kurten (at) pp (dot) inet (dot) fi Pics at http://uk.pg.photos.yahoo.com/ph/frankiennikki/ and http://community.webshots.com/user/frankiennikki > > My mother's immediate reaction to my being scratched was "what did you > > do to the cat?" :-) > > > My mother's was the same. :o) IMO, that's the *only* response that should be uttered. I simply do not understand why people leave their small child unattended with *any* animal. I love my animals dearly, and trust that they would never in any way hurt DS, but I *do not* leave him alone with them, even for a second. His potential of hurting *them* is so much greater than vice-verse. -L. When I got my 10yr award for fostering, there was a letter with it and my beloved cat Henri RB was mentioned as having been involved with helping to show love to these babies and children, I can't remember the exact wording but I was very proud of Henri. Jean.P. > >> Also, make sure that she is mentioned on your show (not by name, of > >> course, but her situation, and that it's an example of what *not* to [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > > Jill On 2005-03-11, Magic Mood Jeep© penned: >> -- -Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" >> -TMBG > > I've always wondered, what (or who) is TMBG???? They Might Be Giants Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> I've always wondered, what (or who) is TMBG???? > They Might Be Giants Sorry, I missed your question. Yep, it's They Might Be Giants. The whole line of that lyric is "wake up, and smell the cat food in your bank account." It's from "Don't Let's Start". Very fun group, live concerts are great. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > > On 2005-03-11, Magic Mood Jeep© penned: > >> I've always wondered, what (or who) is TMBG???? [quoted text clipped - 5 lines] > account." It's from "Don't Let's Start". Very fun group, live concerts are > great. They sing the song for Higgly Town Heros - a cartoon on PBS. -L. > >> -- -Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" > >> -TMBG > > > > I've always wondered, what (or who) is TMBG???? > > They Might Be Giants Istanbul is Constantinople now it's Istanbul ..... (fun group) >> On 2005-03-11, Magic Mood Jeep© penned: >> > [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] >Istanbul is Constantinople >now it's Istanbul ..... (fun group) "The Four Lads" did it first about 50 years ago. >> When I would post to the single cat group before the split, my sig >> line was, "If you want a declawed cat, adopt one." The presence of [quoted text clipped - 10 lines] > Please let me know when and where to drop off the cats." Bleh!! I'm > doing a segment on our shelter's low-budget cable show about cats and > babies next week. > That grandson better watch out! When a cuter grandbaby comes along, > he's toast! Oooooh, that woman is so evil! I hate it when people do that. But I think it's pretty common. If they don't give the cats up, then they often just neglect them. Before we moved to Thailand, we had a lot of friends back home in Vancouver with cats. They all loved and doted on their cats, one couple even had two $600 Birmans. But now they all have a couple of little kids, and when we last visited in October, we noticed that the cats were comletely ignored. Sure, they still have a roof over their heads and food and all that, but there seemed to be no interaction at all with the poor cats. My heart was breaking. I asked my friend why they don't pay more attention to their "first kids" but she just said they were too busy and they had never really been lap cats anyway. Poo! That's all I have to say about that. -- Britta "There is no snooze button on a cat who wants breakfast." -- Unknown Check out pictures of Vino at: http://photos.yahoo.com/badwilson click on the Vino album > I've got two declawed cats coming in to the shelter./// Interestingly enough, when Robbie went missing last July (remember that episode, where he crept out whilst we my folks were on vaccation in the UK?). I rang Fairfax animal control/shelter, and was describing this fraidy puss indoor cat, who bites. As soon as I said "he bites and he's indoors", the next question from shelter staff who had immediately become hostile was "Is he declawed?" The minute I said "No, that's utterly barbaric." The whole demeanor of the person on the phone changed and she couldn't do enough for me. She bent over backwards even more when I explained why he bit (ex-cruelty case) and gave her his microchip number etc. I think she automatically equated "indoor only + biting" = "Declawed" as IIRC, it's one of the #1 reasons for dumpinbg declawed cats at a shelter. Helen M > I think she automatically equated "indoor only + biting" = "Declawed" as > IIRC, it's one of the #1 reasons for dumpinbg declawed cats at a shelter. Biting because they were declawed, or declawed because they were biting? Man, Oscar has always enjoyed using tooth and claw to make her will known. I've just learned to tread softly. It's not a problem with guests, because she hides, but with more-familiar people (like family visiting for an extended period), I have to remind them that Oscar has her own brand of justice. Then again, she doesn't tend to scratch other people, just me. I wonder if she's too afraid of the other people, kind of like at the vet's where she goes limp. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca > > I think she automatically equated "indoor only + biting" = "Declawed" as > > IIRC, it's one of the #1 reasons for dumpinbg declawed cats at a shelter. > > Biting because they were declawed, or declawed because they were biting? Many cats develop biting behavior because they feel defenseless post-declaw. It's a common phenom. -L. Monique wrote: >> Biting because they were declawed, or declawed because they were > biting? I'm sure some dumbasses declaw because the cat bites. > Many cats develop biting behavior because they feel defenseless > post-declaw. It's a common phenom. Yep, that's why IMO, the whole "at least declawed cats stay in their home" argument is BS. When they start biting, they get dumped in a shelter. Guess which is harder to adopt out: a cat that scratches the furniture, or a cat that bites? Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG Kelly H wrote: >Monique wrote: >>> Biting because they were declawed, or declawed because they were [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] >Guess which is harder to adopt out: a cat that scratches the furniture, or >a cat that bites? When we adopted our Lady Jane Grey, it was from our vet, not a shelter. She was very fussy about being touched on her lower back and tail and would bite if touched there. We've since gentled her out of that. It's occurred to me that she might have been at the vet's to be euthanized but we called looking for a declawed adult gray cat and they just happened to have had her come in the day before. She's the snuggiest of our kitties, but if you really tease her, like grabbing a rear paw and saying, "That's my paw. It's not Janie's, it's mine!", she's liable to swat you one or go to bite you. I don't hold this against her, as I know and she knows that I'm playing and that she will be rewarded with hugs and skritches for that mean old daddy's teasing. > Since my own cats have been rather boring lately (don't tell them I > said that!) I thought I'd post Cammie's story. I posted it once long [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > -L. It makes me sick to think that there are people out there who would do that to a loving, trusting little life whose fate is in their hands. When Bandit was hurt and I thought I might lose her, I was desperate for just a bit more time with my baby, no matter what it cost, no matter what I had to do to take care of her. I can't imagine*willingly* killing a family member just because it has become inconvenient. Hugs, CatNipped > It makes me sick to think that there are people out there who would do that > to a loving, trusting little life whose fate is in their hands. When Bandit [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > > CatNipped To just throw her out into the garage to live, and to not even seek vet advice was horrible. You could see the betrayal in her eyes - she looked at you with total lack of trust. I wanted to beat the original "owners" senseless. I was so happy when she got adopted. -L. > To just throw her out into the garage to live, and to not even seek vet > advice was horrible. You could see the betrayal in her eyes - she > looked at you with total lack of trust. I wanted to beat the original > "owners" senseless. I was so happy when she got adopted. > > -L. Smokey was like that when I first met him--with his sides sunken in from hunger. Once he overcame his timidity of humans, he'd look at you with a "Will you feed me? Cause I'm starving, an' I think you guys are supposed to feed me. Isn't that your job? I'm really really hungry." It's as though he both recognized humans as food providers, and wasn't sure at all that they'd actually provide for him. He's still got issues about seeing the bottom of the foodbowl, even now that he's in an environment where he's filled out to a sleek, healthy, well-fed boy. I think he'll always be somewhat clingy and needing the reassurance of a constant food supply to make up for his early years. --Fil Please excuse top post. My stance on declawing is well known on the group. I live in England and I don't think it's ever been legal here. It is outlawed in most countries. It's cruel and unnecessary as far as I'm concerned. Debarking of dogs isn't allowed here either. It's simple for me. If anyone has a problem with their cat maybe clawing furniture with its front feet, don't get one. That's what they sometimes do. Dogs bark. That's what they do too. The only dog that doesn't bark is a Basenji, they yodel. Never buy or get a dog if you can't accept it will sometimes bark. I was glad when my dogs barked. It meant they'd heard something a bit suspicious and alerted me to look around. It seems to be *so* different in America, this is not directed at rpca members.. You get a cat. It has claws on all four feet, well, they come like that, don't they? When you take them for a spay or neuter, your vet seems to suggest it's a good idea for a declaw at the same time. Well, it isn't. Would all you American members ask your vet if they encourage declawing? If they do, ask them why. (Well, we all know it's about earning more money!) Explain it is illegal almost everywhere in the world and ask them how they can justify it. See what they say. Then tell them if they continue to do it, you will find another vet that doesn't do it for ethical reasons. It doesn't matter if you can't. If enough Americans say this to their vets they will have to stop doing it. (They won't know if you can find one or not, but they won't want to lose your business in case you do) Tweed > Since my own cats have been rather boring lately (don't tell them I > said that!) I thought I'd post Cammie's story. I posted it once long [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > -L. > Please excuse top post. > My stance on declawing is well known on the group. I live in England and I [quoted text clipped - 30 lines] > > Tweed That's one of the ways I chose my current vet. I called and asked if they did declawing, acting like I wanted to have it done. When they said no, they didn't do it except when it was medically necessary to correct a proble m, I told them that it was a trick question and that they'd just gotten themselves four new patients. Hugs, CatNipped LOL! Every time I send a post about declawing my spell checker says that "declaw" isn't a word - oh if that were only true and nobody in the world knew what "declawing" is! Hugs, CatNipped > LOL! Every time I send a post about declawing my spell checker says that > "declaw" isn't a word - oh if that were only true and nobody in the world [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > CatNipped One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day all the cat owners in the USA will say "Declawing is disgusting." and will tell their vet they will never use them again if they do this. What are you all waiting for?? Phone your vets and ask them if they declaw. If they say yes, ask them why. Tell them about the litter box problems that declawed cats have. Ask them to tell you frankly if it's an earner for them. Of course it is. Shame them. Tell them what it really means for a kitty who hasn't got front claws and ask them why they do it. To be honest, I find it hard to believe that a USA vet would declaw a cat to save your furniture. Any vet who called themselves a vet should never do that. Tweed > One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day all > the cat owners in the USA will say "Declawing is disgusting." and will tell > their vet they will never use them again if they do this. How did the anti-mutilation law get into effect where you are? If all the cat owners anywhere didn't want to declaw their cats, there wouldn't be a need for such laws =/ > What are you all waiting for?? > Phone your vets and ask them if they declaw. If they say yes, ask them why. [quoted text clipped - 7 lines] > > Tweed Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >> One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day >> all [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > > How did the anti-mutilation law get into effect where you are? We do not need anti-mutilation laws. We've never declawed cats here. We found out you did and and decided to make it illegal here anyway in case anyone thought furniture was more important than cats feet. Does any other country in the world declaw cats? I wouldn't think so, it's barbaric. Tweed > Does any other country in the world declaw cats? > I wouldn't think so, it's barbaric. Yes, Canada. I am not excusing declawing at all, I think it's horrible. But, I think one of the reasons it's done here and not in Europe is that indoor-only is much more common in the US. When a cat is inside all the time, it is going to scratch. Some people just don't get that you *can* train a cat to use a scratching post. Declawing does seem to be losing ground, at least among the cats I see. Many of the people I interview for adoptions are anti-declaw. We also don't get all that many declawed cats in the shelter. I do not attribute this to declawed cats keeping their homes, but to less declawed cats than clawed cats in the area. I don't know if vets are still actually "selling" declawing. At least, not the ones I know. They still do it if an owner insists, but they don't push it like they used to. Signature-Kelly kelly at farringtons dot net "Wake up, and smell the cat food" -TMBG > Yes, Canada. I'm in Canada, but my vet doesn't declaw. They are a cat-only vet practice and since they have the cats' best interests at heart, they do not perform declaw. I've met a few people who, upon hearing that we keep our 4 cats inside the apartment only, ask if they are declawed. My response is "of course not--I wouldn't want part of MY finger amputated" and they look shocked that our place isn't an utter shambles and our bodies aren't covered with bloody scratches. Of course it isn't--we have 2 cat furnitures and a scratching post for the resident 72 claws to go into. We also clip all 72 little claws every other week. --Fil >>> One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day all >>> the cat owners in the USA will say "Declawing is disgusting." and will [quoted text clipped - 8 lines] > Does any other country in the world declaw cats? I wouldn't think so, it's > barbaric. I believe you, but please don't be angry in my direction. I've never understood the concept of declawing cats, chopping off doggie ears and tails, etc. Long before I read about the effects of declawing on gait, litterbox problems, etc., declawing outraged me because it seemed obvious that it was wrong to remove part of an animal for one's convenience. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >>>> One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day >>>> all [quoted text clipped - 12 lines] > > I believe you, but please don't be angry in my direction. I'm not. It's just that the whole declawing thing makes me wild. Sorry. Maybe if the subject comes up again, I'd better not join in. Tweed I've never > understood the concept of declawing cats, chopping off doggie ears and > tails, > etc. Long before I read about the effects of declawing on gait, litterbox > problems, etc., declawing outraged me because it seemed obvious that it > was > wrong to remove part of an animal for one's convenience. > I'm not. It's just that the whole declawing thing makes me wild. > Sorry. > Maybe if the subject comes up again, I'd better not join in. > > Tweed No worries, I get crazy too and I live here! When I was picking up the "Yesterday's Mews" kitty litter for Bandit the other day (so she wouldn't contaminate her wound with the dust from the clumping litter), the guy at the store, which is next to and associated with a vet that I *don't* use, kept saying, over and over again, "Yeah, this is good stuff, people who have their cats declawed use it." I finally told him, "Please stop saying "declawed", it gives me the willies!" He looked puzzled and asked my why. I told him that cats have pain receptors just like I do and just the thought of somebody amputating my fingers at the first joint, and then me having to walk around on the mutilated stumps, turns my stomach. Hugs, CatNipped >>> We do not need anti-mutilation laws. We've never declawed cats here. We >>> found out you did and and decided to make it illegal here anyway in case [quoted text clipped - 9 lines] > > Tweed Sorry; I was in a poor mood and I felt like you were directing your comments at me. Obviously you weren't, as I find declawing as abhorrent as you do. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca >Sorry. >Maybe if the subject comes up again, I'd better not join in. No need to apologize! The BEST way to end the practice of declawing is educating potential cat owners. If some potential cat slave happens to pop into the group and reads this thread, hopefully they'll research what the procedure is, be horrified, and become outspoken declaw opponents. Before LB decided to move in, I was ignorant about what declawing meant (my vet gave me a pamphlet for new cat owners which educated me). SignatureSteve Touchstone, faithful servant of Sammy and Little Bit stouchst@JUNKsirinet.net [remove Junk for email] Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > >Sorry. > >Maybe if the subject comes up again, I'd better not join in. [quoted text clipped - 6 lines] > declawing meant (my vet gave me a pamphlet for new cat owners which > educated me). One of the better vets! The reason I found this new vet (not sure now how lucky that was), I got a pamphlet from the (then new after my move) vet that said declawing a cat was no big deal and the cat didn't even know it had been done because they continue to "scratch" on things (no mention that they do this for stretching purposes, not claw sharpening purposes). They clearly were trying to get cash for this barbaric procedure!! That's what got me searching for a *new* new vet. [At this point I'm considering just driving the extra miles and going back to the vet before last, before last - whom I loved and was *COMPETENT*! Hugs. CatNipped > -- > Steve Touchstone, [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > Home Page: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/index.html > Cat Pix: http://www.sirinet.net/~stouchst/animals.html > > One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day all > > the cat owners in the USA will say "Declawing is disgusting." and will tell > > their vet they will never use them again if they do this. > > How did the anti-mutilation law get into effect where you are? It started here. Richard Martin and the RSPCA Richard Martin was born in Dublin, Ireland in 1754. He was a wealthy landowner known for his love of animals and his quick temper when dealing with people. It was generally known that any man on his property (200,000 acres) who mistreated an animal would spend some time in the dungeons of his castle, subsisting on bread and water. While he was a member of the Irish Parliament, that body once found itself threatened by rioters. Armed only with a small pistol, Martin turned to face the estimated 10,000 rioters and said: If you advance six inches, I'll shoot every mother's babe of you as dead as that paving stone. The comedic value of a single man, armed only with a pistol, making this threat was not lost on the mob. After the laughter subsided, the crowd gave him three cheers. Martin was, in fact, the winner of any number of duels. Asked why he so vigorously advocated kindness to animals while he regularly fought humans with pistols, he responded, 'because a cow cannot hold a pistol, sir!'. In 1822, as a member of the British House of Commons, Martin managed to gain passage of what is believed to be the first animal welfare law ever passed by a nation. The Martin Act, which has been called 'the animals' Magna Carta', outlawed cruelty to cattle, horses and sheep. During the debate on the bill, which was unruly, one Member of Parliament challenged Martin to a fight, to be held on the spot. The fight took place, Martin won, and the man voted for the act. It became evident that magistrates didn't want to try cruelty to animal cases, especially after Martin actually brought a donkey into court to show its wounds. In 1824, Martin and three other Members of Parliament formed the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA). In 1840, Queen Victoria commanded the Society to add Royal to its name. She has been quoted as having said: No country can be called civilised that does not provide proper care for animals. Thus was born the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, which exists to this day. Helen M >> How did the anti-mutilation law get into effect where you are? > > It started here. > > Richard Martin and the RSPCA [snip] Thank you, Helen. I've never read about him before. Signaturemonique, who spoils Oscar unmercifully pictures: http://www.bounceswoosh.org/rpca That was very interesting Helen, I'm from auld England and often used the RSPCA but never heard of Richard Martin, sounds like a real good man. Jean.P. > > > One day it will be illegal in your country, like it is here.. One day all > > > the cat owners in the USA will say "Declawing is disgusting." and will tell [quoted text clipped - 52 lines] > -- > Posted via Mailgate.ORG Server - http://www.Mailgate.ORG >> LOL! Every time I send a post about declawing my spell checker says >> that "declaw" isn't a word - oh if that were only true and nobody in [quoted text clipped - 19 lines] > > Tweed I know our vet doesn't. They are animal lover. & vegetarians (not sure if they're vegans or not, I've not asked *that* question). The receptionist/VT made a joke to me whil I was waiting for my appt once, after she answered the umpteen call that day re: do you declaw - that they had though about building onto the back of their building and opening up a furniture reupholstry business. --? The ONE and ONLY lefthanded-pathetic-paranoid-psychotic-sarcastic-wiseass-ditzy former-blonde in Bloomington! (And proud of it, too)? email me at nalee1964 (at) insightbb (dot) com http://community.webshots.com/user/mgcmdjeep <snip> > Would all you American members ask your vet if they encourage declawing? If > they do, ask them why. (Well, we all know it's about earning more money!) [quoted text clipped - 3 lines] > doesn't do it for ethical reasons. > It doesn't matter if you can't. I wish it were this simple. It is almost impossible to find a vet who won't declaw. >If enough Americans say this to their vets > they will have to stop doing it. > (They won't know if you can find one or not, but they won't want to lose > your business in case you do) Well, I do say this to new vets I visit, but in almost every case, they do declaw - whether it be "on demand" or after counseling when other deterrents "don't work". I use the vets with the strongest "anti-declaw" stance, but unfortunately, they all still do the procedure. Every single vet I worked for had declawed cats at home - some had ones that would pee on furniture, etc., and they *still* wouldn't admit that maybe the declawing was causing the problems. Believe me, I have tried discussing this numerous times with vets - they simply don't care - and don't want to lose the source of income. I estimated the vet I worked for last made 100K/yr. on declaws alone. -L. I'm so glad the story has a happy ending! Best wishes, SignaturePolonca & Soncek > Since my own cats have been rather boring lately (don't tell them I > said that!) I thought I'd post Cammie's story. I posted it once long [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > -L. That is a terribly sad story, I felt so bad for her, sitting in the garage neglected and alone,how can they do that to *any* cat let alone one they've had for ten years, some folks I could easily swing for, Ratbags are what they are. Jean.P. > Since my own cats have been rather boring lately (don't tell them I > said that!) I thought I'd post Cammie's story. I posted it once long [quoted text clipped - 38 lines] > > -L.
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