Surrender or Declaw

Hi. I'm a college student and have a very small budget every month.

So, back in July I took in a pregnant mama from the street. The kittens are away to good homes, but I never found one for the mama. I had planned to keep her. She's super-vocal and really really friendly. She cuddles, too. (So cute)

One issue now is she brought in fleas. We've been trying to get rid of them for weeks, we bombed, we got the topical flea medicine, and we tried to bathe the cat (she bites…). It was better for a while and now they're back. The landlady found out the cat brought in fleas, and is really pissed. She recommends putting the cat outside for a few weeks until the fleas are gone.

AND, the cat hasn't been spayed yet, so I can't put her outside. I will not deal with kittens again. But, I don't have the funds to get her spayed at the vet, and the local shelter that spays for cheap has very limited hours. Anyway, this isn't the main issue.

I've been delivered an ultimatum. Either get the cat declawed, or get rid of her. I don't really have the money to get her declawed and spayed AND deal with the fleas. Plus, I really don't want to have to get her declawed. She's old enough that she's dependent (probably about a year and a half, maybe two), and I think it's a bad idea in general. BUT, it's that or surrender her to a shelter.

To summarize:
Very tight on money. Fleas and nothing seems to be working. Don't have money for more.

Need to get cat spayed, don't have money for that.

Need vet appointments, don't have money for that.

Must either get cat declawed (don't have money for that) or surrender.

If push comes to shove, I can find money for everything, but not time.

What do I do? I really would like to keep her, but I want to do what is best for the cat.

(I realize this is a cat and not a human, but I consider her part of my family)

Is there anyway you would qualify for a voucher to get her spayed?  If you call the local spay/neuter clinic they often can point you in the direction of vouchers that offer free or reduced spay/neuter.  While she is spayed she can also be treated for fleas.  It sounds as though she needs a better de flea remedy that only a vet can prescribe.  Please look around your area.  Ask to borrow money.  Please please do not put her outside.  She will only end up pregnant.  You need to get her spayed for her health.  Each time she goes into heat, she will yowl and possibly try to get outside.  It is not something fun for her body to go through.  Please do your best to find the funds to get her to the low cost clinic.

About the declawing.  This is a pro no declaw site.

Please refer to the forum rules:


3. This website considers declawing a drastic way to curb cat behavior. A painful ordeal for your kitty we would suggest that declawing never be considered for any behavioral issue. Health issues are entirely different. It is up to you as a responsible pet owner to explore all the different options available instead of declawing. Your cat is dependant on you to make wise choices for her, and not put her into any more stress or discomfort. Please be a responsible pet owner and research this subject thoroughly. Understand that if you are pro-declaw in your posts, you will encounter opposition. Please learn more about alternatives for declawing here in our forums as well as on our website itself. Declaw - More than Just a Manicure. Hopefully those of you with claw-related problems will find solutions by spending time in our Behavior Forum.
 

Look her for additional info. 

http://www.thecatsite.com/t/155451/declawing-resources

Please do not declaw her at the advice of a landlord.  Do you own research and try some of the alternatives.

Declawing cats is very cruel - do not do it! Would you chop a child's fingers off so they didn't get chocolate covered finger prints on the sofa?

How would the landlady know whether the cat had been declawed? Just lie!

Also about the fleas did you get the topical treatment from the vet? It is cheaper in the long run to get a treatment from the vet, as shop bought products do not work- they are a false economy!

Thank you for taking in this little girl and finding good homes for her babies. A lot of people wouldn't have done that. 

You're in a tough position and I don't envy you that. I agree with previous advice about contacting the local spay/neuter clinic and explaining your situation. If they cannot help you, they can probably steer you towards someone who can. Our local Humane Society often gives out vouchers for free or very low cost spaying and neutering. Do you have one of those close by? If you need help finding assistance, please let us know where you are located and we can help you find something. 

I second the recommendation to get the flea meds from the vet. These are far more effective than stuff you can buy OTC. 

As far as the declawing is concerned. Please don't do it. It's among one of the cruelest things you can do to a cat. I know it's very easy for us to stand here and tell you how awful it is (it really, really is and SO unnecessary) but we're not in your shoes. I know you want to keep this little girl and while I do agree that lying about having had the cat declawed is an option, it might not last forever as the landlord could very well ask for proof (such as a receipt from a vet or something like that). If this was me and my options really were declaw or rehome, I'd rehome the cat. Would that be what I wanted?? No. Hell no. would it be a horrible decision to have to make? Of course-  BUT would be it really be in the cat's best interest? Unfortunately, yes and at the end of the day, that's what  is more important. You also need to consider that these days, a lot of vets just WON'T declaw regardless of what the owner wants. If some vets are refusing to do it regardless of profit, that should tell you how bad it really is. 

I assure you that I am not judging you in any way and again, I don't envy the position you're in. You took in a pregnant cat and found homes for her babies so in my eyes, you're already a hero. In a perfect world, you would get a voucher for the spay, finally get rid of the fleas and show your landlord information about what declawing REALLY is and just how cruel it is and they will relent and let you keep her. That would be the best scenario. I am hoping and sending out vibes that everything works out for the best for BOTH of you.    

Please feel free to use the information below to discuss with your landlord why declawing is NOT the answer

http://www.pawproject.org/declaw-surgery/

http://www.humanesociety.org/animals/cats/tips/declawing.html?referrer=https://www.google.com/

Once they hit a year old declawing can actually kill them easier. I would try claw caps before anything like that. When my friend watch my other two over the weekend they had to have them on. Once they got home I took them off. Most cats don't mind them after a day or two.

Thank you for all you have done for this momma kitty and her babies.  Its hard to let them go once we put so much of ourselves into them - no one will love them like we do!!  But, you have to be your first priority.  It sounds like money, and time, are pretty tight for you - and the bad thing about being a renter is that the landlord does get to make some rules. I mean, you can fight her.  Do other people have pets?  are they declawed?  or is your landlord singling you out?  Irregardless, its sad to say, but once they take an issue with your pet, even if you have it declawed or whatever her current demand is, it doesn't mean the landlord will stop there... declawed pets can be even more destructive than they were before the surgery - and they often have litter box issues following because it causes them pain to dig in the litter.  Claws are a part of your cats natural defenses, and even strictly indoor cats can accidentaly wind up outside.

Anyway...  I don't know your situation.  If you have bonded with the furbaby and just can't let her go, who I am to tell you that you should?  But, at the same time, you have to be able to take care of you.  Pets can end up being quite expensive... you were awesome to take her in when she needed a friend, but if you have done all you can, and your situation just doesn't allow you to properly care for her, then that is what it is.  Until you are in a better sitaution home wise, and financially, keeping her might not be the absoulte best thing for either of you.  Pets can be very expensive - even after the spay surgery is done.  If you do have to rehome her, you might talk to the shelter about becoming a foster parent.  Temporary homes are in high demand... and that might work best for your situation.

If you do keep her. I agree with what everyone has said about the flea treatment from the vet being much better than what  you get from the store... Also want to point out that just spraying for fleas is not sufficient... you have to be very diligent about vacuming all affected areas, or even possibly affected areas, at least daily until this is under control.  Dump the vacum after each use (into a sealed container, or better yet, in the outdoor dumpster).  Regular bathing, going through the fur with a flea comb are also helpful.  But I know what its like to have a cat that doensnt just "not like" baths, but is terrified of them.  Anway, frequently washing the bedding, where she sleeps also helps.

Good luck with whatever you decide.

As for the fleas, you can go to a recent thread we have been discussing on treatment of fleas in the environment, and you can search for other threads on the same subject.  Personally I use Advantage II, which you can get at Petsmart or Petco, and a powder called Diotomaceous Earth ("DE") which I get from a feed store, and get the food grade rather than the garden grade.  I get it at Tractor Supply and most feed stores would have it.  That works to control any fleas in the environment. It's a powder you put down and sweep up later, good to use under couch pillows and in dusty corners etcf. because fleas cannnot life in it. It dries them out.

You should keep your cat's nails trimmed but you might tell your landlady if she persists with this declawing thing that a declawed cat has a lot more chances of NOT using the litter box because her feet hurt, and clipped claws do a lot less damage.  You could also start looking for a new place to live, maybe find a house to share with other like-minded people.  I know several groups of sudents around here who rent rooms in pet friendly houses which work sort of like a coop.

Just remember, declawing (which is illegal in most european countries and actually some cities and maybe states in the U.S. (the laws keep changing and getting better) is a lifetime mutilation, and you aren not going to be a student forever.  She might listen to reason if you agree to keep her claws clipped, and capped if necessary (although I dont think those are terribly effective because they come off a lot.  Still get one set put on, show your landlady and then forget about it, just keep them clipped.

Thank you all for your kind replies. I'm currently looking for a place to rehome her, but so far no luck.

Does the DE powder really work? It goes down on carpets and underneath furniture, right? I bought some and I've read about it, but I don't know how to actually apply it or how often. None of the things I've been able to find explain very well.

I agree with everything you've said about declawing, and I know the issues with it. I know this is a no-declaw site. I agree.

And, to clarify, the landlady is my mother, and she absolutely will not budge on this issue. She hasn't in the past 22 years. She's an ER doctor, so the "cutting off of top joint" doesn't phase her at all. Her opinion is that animals live just fine and happy with lost limbs.

If it comes down to declaw or surrender to a shelter, wouldn't a shelter declaw her anyway? Or are there shelters that don't declaw?

Shelters do NOT declaw, not ever.  They neuter and spay because that's important, but other than lifesaving surgery, that's all they do.  DOCTORS are definitely the worst when it comes to the declawing thing.  My brother is a doctor and he declawed his cats, big maine coons, and then let them out.  One survived, one didnt.  He lives in Maine, I live in Georgia, so mostly I can avoid thinking about that.  He did it because his kids were young then and he was worried about them getting scratched.  Claw clipping just doesn't impress doctors for some reason.  Well, if I were you, I would tell mom that if she wants you to live with her, the cat keeps her claws, which you will diligently keep clipped, and maybe even apply those silly claw tip things like finger condoms, and otherwise you and the cat will be moving out.  Time to put on those big girl panties and turn the balance of power upside down.

As for the DE, you sprinkle it all around and let it work in.  Then you vacuum any obvious piles of it up.  It kills fleas in the vac bag also.  The more of it you can leave around, in the carpet and under couch cushions etc., the better.

It really sucks about her giving you that type of ultimatum. My mom doesn't even like my cat and the fact she sometimes scratches her carpets. But I just offer to buy new carpets from time to time. Works to our advantage. May I ask what it is the cat is destroying so that your mom wants her declawed? Couches? Carpets?

I think that under these circumstances it would be better to hand the cat over to a no-kill shelter. Talking care of cats is expensive and if you're struggling to find the funds to have her spayed I'm worried about what might happen if she has other health problems. Please don't have her de-clawed, it's cruel and unnecessary. If your Mum worries about her clawing the carpet what is she going to do when the cat starts biting or refusing to use her litter box, as de-clawed cats often do?

You did a great job of taking care of the mother cat and her babies so far. I think you've done as much as you can and it's time to let a shelter step in and help you. Maybe in the future when you're more financially secure you could adopt a shelter cat? 

De-clawed cats do get surrendered to shelters, so if you find yourself with a landlady who insists on a de-clawed cat it would be better to give a home to one that has already had the procedure done than subject another cat to this.

Hello all!

Thank you for your support and kind words.

At this time, my mom took home the chair she was worried about (from the rental to her house), and kitty is doing well.

The fleas are still around, but I think we've got a handle on them. I'm not going to get her spayed until I don't have to put chemicals on her anymore, because I'm worried about her immune system not being able to fight off chemicals AND surgery infection.

If my mother keeps insisting on declawing, even with her prized chair gone, I will probably surrender kitty to a shelter. Norachan makes a good point with this one.

Again, thank you all. 

Glad to hear everything is working out for now. Keep us posted on how things go.