Declawing contract?

We also have a no declaw law in our kitten contracts. In my last litter I had a family interested in a kitten & when I sent them the contract to look over it, They got very upset & told me when it was their kitten they could do wahtever they wanted with it.......Needless to say they would never own one of my babies. When there are soo many other options instead of De-clawing available I don't understand why people still insist so strongly upon it? It seems ignorant to me. I think there needs to be more education about it so then maybe people will get it.Just my

I decided to put the link up any ways. It is a web site to help inform people against declawing. It has pictures, facts/problems with declaw, understanding scratching behavior, how to use/train to use a srcathing post, alternative options, horror storries, vets that do/don't declaw, countries where declawing is illegal, and more. It has facts options, and education, that is way I am posting the web site. When I had a web site I had a link to it. I think it is very useful and informative.


http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/

i wont even go into debarking. I think its senseless. If you live in an apartment and dont want your neighbors bothered. dont have a dog.

Declawing is illegal where I live (as is debarking), but it's standard for shelters and rescue groups to require that kittens be spayed/neutered by the age of six months (older cats are speutered before adoption), tattooed and/or microchipped and entered in a nationwide registry, and vaccinated regularly. And yes, many groups do check up on this, and will demand return of the pet if the requirements aren't met.
I got Jamie from a rescue group I'm a member of at the age of ten weeks, and even though he'll be 7 at the end of the month, I still have to give yearly reports of veterinary care/inoculations. My contract also requires that he be kept as an indoor kitty. I take him outside on a leash, but he's not allowed to roam at will.
I'm therefore not at all surprised that there are contracts requiring that cats not be declawed, and find that very much in order.

Originally Posted by maherwoman

I've read that someone that adopted a kitten had to sign a contract saying they will not declaw the kitten. Is this something that's done everywhere??

I've never adopted a kitty from a shelter, so excuse the naiveness...lol.

I'm not for declawing...just curious. It's something I haven't heard before.

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I just adopted Jackson for a shelter here, And yes they did make me sign something stating I was aware that declawing was against there policies and that I WOULD NOT do this. And if the shelter found out I had, they would take baby Jackson away from me. This is not something I would do anyways. If you trim a kitty's nails often enough it does not hurt, and if they're using s sratching post properly, IMO: there is no reason for declawing...Just patients

What's so hard about clipping a cat's claws every few weeks, anyway? Unless you're living in the middle of silk and velvet, clipped claws will keep cats from doing any great amount of damage.

I guess it's that "animals-are-just-property" mentality again.

IMO, if you're not willing to put up with a few inconveniences, then cats simply aren't for you...

Originally Posted by Callista

What's so hard about clipping a cat's claws every few weeks, anyway? Unless you're living in the middle of silk and velvet, clipped claws will keep cats from doing any great amount of damage.

I guess it's that "animals-are-just-property" mentality again.

IMO, if you're not willing to put up with a few inconveniences, then cats simply aren't for you...

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I could not agree moree. Truley Jackson is the LOVE OF MY LIFE!!! I would never ever in a million years even let declawing cross my mind. I pray that new cat owners would take the time to researc cats and understand the responsabilities that come along with having such a great companion. Declawing is inhumane, and like it was said pefore in a posting...How would you like to have just nubs for fingers? Please,Please,Please, do not declaw...again many people have already said...there RE tons OF ALTERNATIVES...and if those don't suite your needs, that baby doesn't suite you either...Give that kitty everything it deserves...

This is such a touchy subject, my heart breaks when I hear of people considering or wanting to do something like this...and the people on this site are absolutley amazing, you all have given such great advice,website,informatio, and facts, that there should be no reason at all that ANYONE should have to declaw there cat(s).

Thanks,
Jayme & Baby Jackson!

Originally Posted by celestialrags

I decided to put the link up any ways. It is a web site to help inform people against declawing. It has pictures, facts/problems with declaw, understanding scratching behavior, how to use/train to use a srcathing post, alternative options, horror storries, vets that do/don't declaw, countries where declawing is illegal, and more. It has facts options, and education, that is way I am posting the web site. When I had a web site I had a link to it. I think it is very useful and informative.


http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/

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I wanted to look at the site to have somewhat of an understand as to how they do this horrid declawing process, I neraly threw-up. Like I have said would never do something like this, but to see those pictures makes me so angry...Thank-you for posting this site...I hope it will ope some eyes.
J&J

Maybe some people just see a kitten and they think its really cute and then buy it to have a cute kitten. They don't really think about the kitten, but only think of themselves and how this cat will affect their lives..Perhaps thats why they think they can just alter the kitty to fit their lifestyle. I don't know..its weird. I'm sure the same kind of people don't think about maybe having vet bills someday when your cat gets really sick..and then when they do get sick, they are expendable to just get rid of.

This is off topic but: when I was younger we got a cat from a family, and I loved the cat soooo much, we had him for about a year, then he died because of that urine crystallization they can get. Well, it turned out the family got rid of him because he had that..instead of treating him. Grrrr, I loved him very much and this was awful for me to realize that they would give him up. Anyways, those people had declawed him before we got him.

When I was selling my rex kittens I did have a clause in there about no declawing. I'd rather the person bring me the kitten/cat back then to declaw it. I never had a problem with anyone regarding it.

I taught my kittens from the time they could walk where they could scratch and also trimmed nails from a month old. I'd take the time to explain my reasons against declawing and show them how to trim nails if necessary.

In most associations you cannot show cats that are declawed. A few allow it, but its not encouraged at all.

Originally Posted by eburgess

All I am saying is anyone who is giving away or selling animals number one priority is to find a home where that animal will be loved and taken care of.
As for the saying/neutering comment.... Many shelters give you 30 days to find a vet, get a qoute, and get it done.. I don't know about anyone else but I am very busy... giving me 30 days to do anything is a bit much. Those types of choices should be left up to the owners.

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eburgess...have you ever found a LACK of already declawed cats available in shelters/rescues?? I sure haven't...and a lot of these cats are given up because their owner moves or develops an allergy (same as the reasons they give up a cat with claws). Our rescue is more than willing to adopt an already declawed cat into a home that has concerns about claws...but as far as letting the "owner" make up their mind regarding one of our cats that has it's claws...No Way! As I tell people...you can have 99 cats that come out of the elective surgery ok...but if you have the 1 cat that comes out with biting issues, litterbox issues or other health, behavior issues...are you willing to take that chance??? With a cat that has already had the procedure performed..you can see how that surgery affected the cat...and we do adopt out several declawed cats a year. Since we have made a commitment to our cats to find them the very best home....the very best home for one of our cats that has it's claws will be a home that will not declaw that cat (yes, we do have the adoptor sign a contract that they will not declaw).

As far as your comment about spaying/neutering..many states REQUIRE the procedure be done within 30 days or else the shelter runs the risk of being non-compliant. Some things are not the owners choice...but a state LAW. Our rescue spays/neuters all our kittens/cats/puppies/dogs prior to adoption..that way we don't run into the "my life is busy and I had no time to take the animal to be spayed/neutered" argument.

So a recap:

1. Declawing isn't the magic "fix all"..if it were, we wouldn't have any declawed cats in shelters/rescues looking for good homes (but a quick look at Petfinder reveals there are thousands looking for new homes right now)
2. Already declawed cats deserve homes too and when you adopt an already declawed cat you can see whether the procedure had a negative impact or not.
3. If someone doesn't agree with a shelter's/rescue's policies..they can walk away (talk about the ultimate in "choice")
4. Shelters/Rescues also have the right to determine the rules and policies by which they will adopt out a cat/kitten (including whether they will have a "no declaw" aspect to their contract)

Katie

Originally Posted by Jayme&Jackson

I wanted to look at the site to have somewhat of an understand as to how they do this horrid declawing process, I neraly threw-up. Like I have said would never do something like this, but to see those pictures makes me so angry...Thank-you for posting this site...I hope it will ope some eyes.
J&J

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(sorry to have such graphic pics, and they made you sick, you aren't the one I want to make sick by them, you already dissagree with it, it's the people who do it and think nothing more then trimming their claws that I want to feel sickend by it, but on the same token, seeing those, you will be more apt to speak out for cats then just say I don't do it, instead you might say "you shouldn't do it to" some one else)
If it opens one persons eyes then I am glad I put the link up. It is such an unnecisary torture (yes it is torturious, to de-toe a cat) I hope that I have saved one cats toes at least. I really hope it becomes out lawed like many other countries, if some one is that worried about a cat ruining their "stuff" get a hampster, not a cat. I'm not going to amputate my daughters fingers because she will probley color on my new wall paper, so i'm not going to amputate my cats toes because it may scratch the furniture.

Wow...last time I checked this thread (I think yesterday morning) there was only one response!! Now I come on and there's FIVE PAGES!! Lol!!!

Anyway, I thought I should post a reply stating the following:

I'm very sorry to have brought up such a contraversial subject. I didn't realize just asking that question would bring on an argument...I'm so sorry! I was just curious.

I do, however, have a second question...how do they enforce these contracts?

I would like to restate the fact that I am completely against declawing. Both of my kitties have Soft Claws on their front paws, and are doing great. I realize I posted something before asking about it, but I am NOT for declawing AT ALL!! I hope no one got that impression from my other post.

Anyway, I hope things don't get too horrible just from my simple question...

Originally Posted by maherwoman

Wow...last time I checked this thread (I think yesterday morning) there was only one response!! Now I come on and there's FIVE PAGES!! Lol!!!

Anyway, I thought I should post a reply stating the following:

I'm very sorry to have brought up such a contraversial subject. I didn't realize just asking that question would bring on an argument...I'm so sorry! I was just curious.

I do, however, have a second question...how do they enforce these contracts?

I would like to restate the fact that I am completely against declawing. Both of my kitties have Soft Claws on their front paws, and are doing great. I realize I posted something before asking about it, but I am NOT for declawing AT ALL!! I hope no one got that impression from my other post.

Anyway, I hope things don't get too horrible just from my simple question...

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More than anything, I would like to thank-you for asking a question like this, As I have said before, if anything I hope this will be a "eye opener" to someone contimplating declawing. So thank-you for asking!!!

IMO, I felt that everyone handled this very well, and do not think it got out of hand or developed into an "argurment", just some very strong opinions. Iam very lucky yo have found this forum and be able to talk to so many knowledgable people. Thank-you everyone.

YOU GUYS ROCK!!!

Jayme and Jackson

Originally Posted by Soka

I've heard of this too. Unfortunatly, my mom is going to want me to get the stray declawed if we keep her. This is only because my mom is moving into a house and has bought all new furniture and such. Is there an alternative to declawing?

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there is a prcedure called a tendonectomy. where teh tendon that retracts the claws are severed. the cats can't scatch, but the claws are still there. and you have to make sure you clip them. it is an alternative to declawing and some younger vets know how to do. talk to your vet first

Originally Posted by tigerfanfrv

there is a prcedure called a tendonectomy. where teh tendon that retracts the claws are severed. the cats can't scatch, but the claws are still there. and you have to make sure you clip them. it is an alternative to declawing and some younger vets know how to do. talk to your vet first

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and that is just as horrible. I would never want anyone to slice one of my tendons for the heck of it

Originally Posted by maherwoman

Wow...last time I checked this thread (I think yesterday morning) there was only one response!! Now I come on and there's FIVE PAGES!! Lol!!!

Anyway, I thought I should post a reply stating the following:

I'm very sorry to have brought up such a contraversial subject. I didn't realize just asking that question would bring on an argument...I'm so sorry! I was just curious.

I do, however, have a second question...how do they enforce these contracts?

I would like to restate the fact that I am completely against declawing. Both of my kitties have Soft Claws on their front paws, and are doing great. I realize I posted something before asking about it, but I am NOT for declawing AT ALL!! I hope no one got that impression from my other post.

Anyway, I hope things don't get too horrible just from my simple question...

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To answer your second question. As best as I can...diffent shelters do it diffrent, many require vet info and they keep in touch with the vet. as well as home visits.

I, as a breeder require vet info, and of course the ocassional call or email ect. If someone wants to be seeding and underhanded about it. I suppose they could. But most people wont. especially when your checking in everyonce in a while.

there are valid reasons for declawing cats. those who are diabetic, or have clotting disorders can become very sick or die from getting scratched by thier cat. its for the person's own health. as for health problems with the cat, i have worked in the veterinary field for almost 5 years now and have only seen one declaw case that had problems. i have seen more problems from spays then i have from declaws.

some apartments require declawing, but think about it, you don't own the place (in most cases) and its not your floors and walls that will need replacing if the cat ruins them. landlords are just cutting thier losses, and could very well not allow pets in thier biuldings at all.

if you do get you cat declawed do it when the cat is small (in weight) if the cat is a larger one, i suggest keeping the cat at you vet a few days post op to ensure the paws don't bleed. (if there is an option for that) and if a cat is hissing spitting screaming and trying to kill you, you have ten less weapons to worry about.

i used the "wait and see" technique when i broght Able home. if he didn't destroy anything, he would be fine, if he did. a declaw would have been added on to his jaw wire removal. he didn't used the carpeting covered post. but the cardboard scratchers were a hit. so his paws remain intact.

Originally Posted by tigerfanfrv

there is a prcedure called a tendonectomy. where teh tendon that retracts the claws are severed. the cats can't scatch, but the claws are still there. and you have to make sure you clip them. it is an alternative to declawing and some younger vets know how to do. talk to your vet first

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It is still an unneccecary procedure, that is still painful. If, after the procedure you still have to trim the nails, why not do that in the first place.

Originally Posted by FamilytimeRags

It is still an unneccecary procedure, that is still painful. If, after the procedure you still have to trim the nails, why not do that in the first place.

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i'm just giving options. i didn't say i prefered it. its just an alternitive that some vets offer. i suggest talking to your vet about all the options avalible