From: bron@iastate.edu (bronwyn)
Subject: Re: DECLAWING?
Summary: Yes, it's Me Again.
Originator: bron@tbird.cc.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Wed, 30 Dec 1992 09:02:14 GMT

   Sheesh.  Another long article.  I must be eloquent.  (or silly ;)

In an earlier article, I (bron@iastate.edu) wrote:
>96% of the feline owners giving up their cats for scratching problems
>will NEVER own another cat.  The most common reason is the problems they
>had with their previous cat, and they don't want to try again with a new
>one.

And in article <1669.110.uupcb@hal9k.ann-arbor.mi.us> laurel.schippers@hal9k.ann-arbor.mi.us (Laurel Schippers) responds:
>Hm, interesting.  I have two questions about these owners:
>
>1) Why didn't they get the cats declawed BEFORE taking them to
>an animal shelter?

More statistics for you.  Run! ;)
In a period of two years, 639 pet owners gave up cats after scratching
problems.  These owners were given literature on the declawing procedure.
The number one reason for declining the procedure (reflecting 71% of the
owners) was "inhumanity". 472 of these animals were euthanized after awating 
adoption for three weeks. More humane than claw removal?  An additional 
723 cat owners, after bringing their prospective adoptees to the shelter 
and receiving informational literature about the declawing procedure, decided
to keep their cat, wait it out, and have the procedure done.  

>2) Why didn't they try claw-clipping or behavior training first?

Well, the average approximate age of a euthanized feline in the area
is 11 weeks.  At that age, behaviour training hasn't really had a chance
to get started, and trimmed small claws, while considerably less sharp
than before, still have a very capable piercing ability.  (i.e. trimmed
kitten claws can still tear furniture apart. Kittens will be kittens.)

>It seems to me that if your cat is an incorrigible scratcher,
>you get the cat declawed--you don't take the cat to an animal
>shelter to be killed.  Sounds like those owners didn't want to
>be bothered by owning the cats anymore, really.

Or they had been biased by literature comdemning the practice of declawing.
In particular, several former pet owners felt that euthanasia was more 
humane than declawing. Why? No idea. It's impossible to get an unbiased 
sample in this respect.  In practice, declawing has saved thousands of 
feline lives.  Families with infants feel much safer adopting a declawed 
cat.  Result?  One more cat avoids euthanasia.

>Sure, it would be better if the HS offered low-cost declawing
>and spaying as well.  

Our local shelter has "vet bucks" to contribute to the humane care of animals
adopted in the area.  However, we have a particularly progressive shelter.
(The shelter requires an application process for prospective adoptive families,
and thoroughly check whether pets are allowed at the home, do background
checks for reports of cruelty, etc.  This seems to be an uncommon practice in 
shelters.)

>But the problem seems primarily to be dumb owners.

oh, I'll agree with this. No matter which animal you're talking about, and
no matter how much "experience" the owner has had.  I feel utterly stupid
sometimes.  Nice if they could talk...

*soapbox*
Well, my cats are smarter than me.  But both of us suffer a little discomfort
occasionally in our friendship.  The number one thing that bugs me:
I've endured some heat from a couple friends who advise me to either NOT
declaw feeper (a total lovebucket who quite patently refuses to be trained,
and tends to send my sweetie into a frenzy when she gets near the baby.
I thought only mothers were supposed to worry like that.. ;) or give her 
to a friend who is going to adopt a pet.  Um, if I give feeper to John & 
Diane, they won't adopt from the shelter, and no lives are saved. I'd 
rather declaw feeper and have John & Diane go to the animal shelter and 
save a little bundle of joy. I know declawing is uncomfortable. I know
it's a big change.  I know they lose their joints. Frankly, though, Nermal
was acting completely normally after claw removal.  I offered her a choice
between her normal litter and newspaper, and she went for the litter.  She 
kneaded my tummy a few hours after returning from the vet.  Of course, she
wasn't racing around, but she'd just been spayed, too :)

Of course, this doesn't mean I'm happy about doing it.  My recommendation
is to train and clip first.  But if neither of these help, you still deserve
a *home*, just like your cat. 
*stepping down*

I'm thinking about adding a third kitty to our family.  I don't think
I change the litterbox enough yet.

--
Bronwyn J Scrutton                                          bron@iastate.edu
Project Vincent                                               (515) 294-4994
                    If it's not one thing, it's Bronwyn. 
Newsgroups: rec.pets.cats