From: dmillard@encore.com (Debbie Millard)
Subject: Re: DECLAWING?
Organization: Encore Computer Corporation, Ft. Lauderdale, FL
Date: Thu, 31 Dec 1992 15:34:54 GMT

In article <C00JwL.13s@news.iastate.edu> bron@iastate.edu (bronwyn) writes:
>   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.