From: bron@iastate.edu (bronwyn)
Subject: Re: DECLAWING?
Originator: bron@tbird.cc.iastate.edu
Organization: Iowa State University, Ames, IA
Date: Tue, 29 Dec 1992 09:05:09 GMT

   WARNING! this article is long, and filled with some statistical
      analyses that will probably fill my mailbox with flames.
        However, there is a particularly good quote at the end.     
          I have donned appropriate flame-retardant underwear.
     
I've been following this discussion with a bit of sadness.  I'm the
proud parent of two wonderful cats.  One is declawed, and the other
will be soon.  They are both indoor cats, neither of them showing
*any* interest in going outside.  In fact, simply opening the doors
is enough to make one of them back away in fright.

Frankly, I'm happy they don't want to go outside. I've been doing 
data collection and projection for the local Shelter here for 4 years.
I've seen some alarming numbers.

Some background:  I live in a city with a population of 40 thousand.
Half of this population is students. It's not a big city.  The nearest 
larger one is thirty miles south. There isn't a lot of traffic.  There 
are two or three main streets.

The average lifespan of an outdoor "Protected" cat here is 30 months.
A "Protected" cat is one who is current on all shots.  The average 
lifespan of an outdoor Unprotected cat is 15 months.  The average lifespan
of an indoor protected is 11 years 7 months.

30% of area cats are declawed.  40% of area cats are neutered.
96% of deceased cat pickups in the area are of claw-functional cats.

--indoor/outdoor study--
In a sample of 100 (50% indoor) declawed cats and 100 (50% indoor) 
claw-functional cats, randomly selected from a survey of feline 
ownership in the area,  the group with the highest risk of death was the 
50 claw-functional outdoor cats.  15 outdoor cats died in the two year
study, 11 of them claw functional. Disease rates were 43% higher than 
their indoor claw-functional counterparts.  The group with the lowest risk 
of death was basically a tie - one death in the 100 indoor cats, and that 
was a direct result of a fire.

Thus, in this area, indoor cats have a .5% (+/- 2%) chance of dying from 
any reason in a one year period.  Outdoor cats have a 7.5% (+/- 2%) chance 
of dying for any reason.

--shelter findings on claw-functional/declawed cats--
99% of all cats entering the shelter are claw-functional.  The adoption
percentage is 30%.  Thus, for every cat adopted, two are put to sleep.
1% of the cats are declawed.  The adoption percentage is 97%.

The three most common reasons for putting a feline up for adoption follow:
1) birth of kittens
2) housetraing problems
3) problems relating to claw-functional felines (scratching furniture, 
   scratching people, destroying living environment)

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.

Thus, in the past two years, 639 pet owners gave up cats after scratching
problems.  613 had sufficiently bad experiences to warrant a refusal to
own cats in the future.  18 of the 26 remaining have adopted cats again,
and now have declawed cats.  One now has a claw-functional kitten which
will be declawed.  The remaining 5 may consider adoption at a future time.

Two things are glaringly clear.  1) there are way too many cats already.
Have yours neutered.  2) The ability to declaw has found homes for at *least*
19 more cats.  That's 19 that won't die.

---claw-functional/declawing arguments---

1) There are many people that cite anasthetic dangers in an effort to 
persuade others to refrain from declawing cats.  However, the statistics 
are a bit fuzzy.  I don't have numbers on this one, but I'd guess most 
people have the declawing procedure done while the cat is under anasthetic 
for another purpose (such as the necessary neutering).  Thus, since the 
anasthetic has already been administered, the procedure is relatively safe.  
However, if we are going to practice/preach non-intervention, must we not
also refrain from neutering?  As we might deprive cats of their "protection",
we might also deprive cats of their sexuality.  
2) Other considerations include safety of the procedure (relative statistical
probabilty of complications).  However, there are also cases in which 
having claws can pose a danger to the cat.  Recently, at the clinic of one
vet I spoke to, one particular indoor feline had a leg amputated after a claw 
became infected and began to pose a danger to the cat.  The infection was 
under the skin, and had no obvious symptoms the owners could see.  The
infection was found during a routine examination (including bloodwork).
She cited additional cases in which claw-functional cats faced death or
dismemberment directly due to the dangers of possessing claws. Three other 
vets gave similar information.

While there are two sides to every story, please remember that there are 
REASONS there are two sides!  Please check your information, talk to the 
people whose opinions *you* respect, and go with your decision. Ultimately, 
felines can and will adjust to the life of declawed cats.  However, this
procedure, while relatively fast, *also* gives a pet parent more 
responsibilty. Those of you who wish your pet to have all it's birth-given
parts must also assume responsibilty for taking the reproductive parts away,
if you so choose.  It's a judgement call.  And while you may not agree with
my judgement, it's not your problem.

In closing, I'd like to quote the director of a local animal shelter. 

"Today's concrete jungle isn't the environment cats are equipped to deal 
with.  Cats have become pets.  Every time someone sends a cat outside,
he or she is sending a cat into a maze of pavement, fully stocked with
killers like disease, wild animals, and even Mack trucks.  Once you bring 
a cat into your home (and it stays) it's not wild anymore, and you can't
treat it like it is.  It is your pet, and it can't understand the world
humans have built around it while generations of it's ancestors have been
bred by humans for looks and temperament, and have sat cozily in windows, 
never having to adapt to the changes, never having the opportunity to
evolve."

Opinions and discussion are welcome.  Flames to /dev/null.

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