Hi,
in another thread, the question of declawing has come up, but since this question is bound to be buried in that long thread (and I think that it's a crucial question), I thought I would begin a thread of its own on this subject.
I am totally against declawing and I am including a few links that I posted in the other thread that explain why as well as an extract of a text found in one of these links:
_____________________________________
http://www.defiant.net/declaw.html
http://www.cfainc.org/health/declawing.html
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
http://www.defiant.net/declaw.html
http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/ (Beware, the first image on this site is quite heartbreaking, and there are other sections with photographs that illustrate how cruel declawing is. I have been shocked by these photographs.)
http://www.declawing.com/
Here are some extracts of this last one:
"Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period.
No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.
Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors."
_________________
Anne-Claire
in another thread, the question of declawing has come up, but since this question is bound to be buried in that long thread (and I think that it's a crucial question), I thought I would begin a thread of its own on this subject.
I am totally against declawing and I am including a few links that I posted in the other thread that explain why as well as an extract of a text found in one of these links:
_____________________________________
http://www.defiant.net/declaw.html
http://www.cfainc.org/health/declawing.html
http://amby.com/cat_site/declaw.html
http://www.defiant.net/declaw.html
http://community-2.webtv.net/zuzu22/STOPDECLAWCOM/ (Beware, the first image on this site is quite heartbreaking, and there are other sections with photographs that illustrate how cruel declawing is. I have been shocked by these photographs.)
http://www.declawing.com/
Here are some extracts of this last one:
"Before you make the decision to declaw your cat, there are some important facts you should know. Declawing is not like a manicure. It is serious surgery. Your cat's claw is not a toenail. It is actually closely adhered to the bone. So closely adhered that to remove the claw, the last bone of your the cat's claw has to be removed. Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's "toes". When you envision that, it becomes clear why declawing is not a humane act. It is a painful surgery, with a painful recovery period.
No cat lover would doubt that cats--whose senses are much keener than ours--suffer pain. They may, however, hide it better. Not only are they proud, they instinctively know that they are at risk when in a weakened position, and by nature will attempt to hide it. But make no mistake. This is not a surgery to be taken lightly.
Your cat's body is perfectly designed to give it the grace, agility and beauty that is unique to felines. Its claws are an important part of this design. Amputating the important part of their anatomy that contains the claws drastically alters the conformation of their feet. The cat is also deprived of its primary means of defense, leaving it prey to predators if it ever escapes to the outdoors."
_________________
Anne-Claire