From: Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca (Jack Webb)
Subject: Re: declawing?
Organization: MIND LINK! - British Columbia, Canada
Date: Fri, 18 Dec 1992 20:58:13 GMT

> Mike Lewis writes:
>
> Msg-ID: <1992Dec17.200230.27342@jmb2.jmb.com>
> Posted: Thu, 17 Dec 1992 20:02:3
>
> Org.  : JMB Realty Corporation
>
> Jack Webb (Jack_Webb@mindlink.bc.ca) wrote:
> : PLEASE--- please don't have your pet declawed.  Just a quick sermon, and
> then
> : suggestions to get him to stop doing it.
> :
> : Declawing is not the removal of the claw, but the actual amputation of
> the
> : first joint of the finger, to ensure the whole nail bed is removed.  It's
> not
> : fun for them, just as it would be no fun for you.
> :
> : There are ways to get your meow to stop scratching the furniture...
> :
> : 1) on a day you'll be home most of the day, buy some fine netting to
> cover
> : your furniture.  Put it all over your furniture, and stack beer or soda
> cans
> : precariously on top of the netting and the furniture.  When your cat goes
> to
> : scratch the couch, he'll pull the netting, and the cans will come
> crashing
> : down!!  Yoicks!  Replace the cans, and be ready for the next crash.
> : Eventually, he'll associate the crash with the couch.
> :
> : 2) buy a water pistol, and surreptitiously squirt him whenever he goes to
> : scratch the furniture.  Eventually he will associate the squirt with the
> : scratching.
> :
> : Make sure you have a place where he CAN scratch available, and encourage
> the
> : crap out of him when he scratches there.  Rub catnip all over it, and he
> will
> : hopefully be okay.  The less he associates the "punishment" for
> scratching
> : with you personally, the faster he'll stop... you know how spiteful they
> can
> : be when they know you don't like their behaviour.
> :
> : hope that helps!! :)
>
> I just moved from a high-rise apartment.  The owner would not have allowed
> me
> to move in with un-declawed cats.  The furniture's not the only problem;
> what
> do you do about the carpet?  They have never been outside (still haven't
> figured out how to use the elevator ;-), so being declawed does not deprive
> them of any needed defenses.
>
> I guess I don't understand why everyone gets all emotional about declawing.
> I
> will never own an un-declawed cat.  We had the procedure done on our newest
> and, while I will agree that he didn't enjoy it, he came out of it none the
> worse for wear.  I know that my cats will not be able to damage my
> furniture
> or carpet, and they don't seem to miss their first joints.
>
> BTW, how do you feel about neutering?  Doesn't that also involve a painful
> surgical procedure also?  Couldn't you just train a male cat not to spray?
> (I
> know it would be difficult, but wouldn't it be worth it to spare the cat
> the
> pain and suffering?)
>
> I believe that if you've got a moral problem with inflicting this procedure
> on
> your cat, fine.  Don't have it done.  It's your prerogative.  What I don't
> necessarily appreciate is hearing that I am a cruel, uncaring person
> unworthy
> of cat-ownership because I have them declawed.  No offense intended, BTW.
>
> Flame all you want, we'll "n" more!

As I said before, I DON'T want to start a flame about it!! :)

a) you can't train a male cat not to spray.  It's nature...  (and so is
scratching, otherwise why do so many declawed cats mimic scratching?)

b) neutering addresses a larger issue of overpopulation (societal), not
personal problems.

c) I have NEVER EVER EVER said that anyone was cruel, uncaring or unworthy!!
I think that anyone who has the gumption to own a cat, to make that deal with
those amazing beasts, deserves to own one. (or two... or three :)  My letter
was meant to address the question of another user... she wanted some advice
about declawing.  Some people said that they approved, I just put out my
opinion.  I am certainly not saying that people who have declawed their cats
have made a mistake... I am just saying that they think differently than I
do.  So what??  Variety is the spice of life... :)

I hope I offended no one else about this issue... it's just my personal
opinion... I basically wanted to say that I think that declawing should be
seen as a last resort, after all other options re: scratching, etc. have been
tried.  Hope that clears it up!

love from... *j* :)

p.s. some of my best friends are declawed :)
pps I live in a downtown apartment, too!

--
WE SAIL TONIGHT FOR SINGAPORE - WE'RE ALL AS MAD AS HATTERS HERE!!

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