Overheard short declawing conversation

I took the day off from work today so I could get myself a 4 day weekend. Of course, I had several errands to run. One of them was late in the day. I went to the Rosary House to get myself a couple of wooden bead scapular necklaces. I went off to look at some of the sterling silver ones since mine is broken. While I was doing that, I overhear a man say to a lady that had just come rushing in.....

man: "what are you doing back here? We're not supposed to see you again until Tuesday."
lady: " I need some shredded paper."
man: "take as many bags as you need."

The lady comes out from the back with 2 large garbage bags full of shredded paper.

I didn't hear every word of the rest of the conversation, but what I did hear was this from the lady.....she said she needed it for her cat. Someone must have asked her why and I heard her mention litter and then I hear her say something about having her cat declawed and the doctor told her to use the shredded paper in the litter box until her little feet heal. I was sooooooo when I heard that come out of her mouth that I wanted to follow her out and tell her something....I just had no idea what I would have said to her. After all...the deed was already done.

Why, oh why, isn't this against the law or banned in the US like it is in other countries. What would we actually have to do to get the government to make this illegal?!!!!

I don't understand how people don't think this is horrible to do to cats. I have had friends (not close ones) that talked about declawing cats and it didn't even phase them. I told them what I could, but don't know if I changed their mind.

I have one close friend whose parents had their kitten declawed, then didn't want it, and gave it to my friend. Before I found out that it was declawed, I told her how horrible it is, don't do it, etc. Then I found out it had already been done previously. She swears she will never let it happen to another cat in her family, because she knows she will lose a friend over it. Seriously.

You are right, the deed was done, so talking to the woman wouldn't have helped anything. I have a hard time keeping my mouth shut sometimes, though, and probably would have said something to her. When I'm angry I get confrontational!

Is there something we can do to change the declawing laws in the U.S. and Canada? There are a lot of members here on TCS - could we make a difference if we banded together for this cause?

I would have said something for sure -- because it might make the woman think and educate herself, and perhaps not do it to her next cat. I'd have said something for the same reason I say something, or at least give a long hard look, to people who are rough with their children in public places.

And also, I admit, because it would make me feel a little better.

The problem is a lot of people value their stuff over the precious kitty's toes. I for one would vote to make it illegal, and I use a vet practice that does not declaw as a matter of policy.

Have you tried writing in to your local congress or who ever it is when they want your votes?.

I think most of the problem is lack of education about declawing. Many people do not know what they are really doing to their cats. It has been such a common thing to do for so many years, that many people don't think it is a big deal.

Growing up we always had cats. My mom always declawed them. I declawed my own cats when I first got my own place. It wasn't until I read an article about declawing that I knew how horrible it is!!!! I felt soo bad about doing that to my kitties (who have passed away). I feel strongly now that it SHOULD be illegal here as well.

We need to educate people before they adopt a cat.

Originally Posted by Barblynnp

I think most of the problem is lack of education about declawing. Many people do not know what they are really doing to their cats. It has been such a common thing to do for so many years, that many people don't think it is a big deal.

Growing up we always had cats. My mom always declawed them. I declawed my own cats when I first got my own place. It wasn't until I read an article about declawing that I knew how horrible it is!!!! I felt soo bad about doing that to my kitties (who have passed away). I feel strongly now that it SHOULD be illegal here as well.

We need to educate people before they adopt a cat.

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Exactly! We didnt know it was that bad, and we have 2 cats that are declawed. We have had 1 for 12 years and the other for 6ish. People dont read on the internet and vets dont always tell the person how bad it is. I regret horribly that we did it. Especially to Joey, because he has had problems with his feet ever since, and it wasnt until about 3 years ago that I completely understood why. I think vets need to step up and tell people what they are doing, our former vet didnt care about it that much, we didnt realize it until it was too late sadly. But our current vet doesnt do it, and educates anyone that comes in and asks about it. It needs to be illegal, and there should be more out there, available to all.

I wish more people would research before they did it. So many people just rely on what someone else says. I had an inside/outside cat that my vet encouraged me to have declawed, although I had absolutely no problems with her calws in the first place.

I researched and immediately decided this was cruel.

That would stop at least some of it. Although I realize so many people do it for their own selfish convenience.

Originally Posted by JellyBella

The problem is a lot of people value their stuff over the precious kitty's toes.

I for one would vote to make it illegal, and I use a vet practice that does not declaw as a matter of policy.

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Agreed.


I got into it BIG TIME with my grandmother today because she was talking about how she HAD TO declaw her first cat because she kept scratching furniture and it's just what has to be done with cats that you keep indoors.

Nothing would change her mind, none of my rebuttals.

I think the majority of the population here in the US is exactly the same way.