Every Cat's Claws, Their Fingers and Toes

Although veterinarians in most other countries, and many veterinarians in the US and Canada, consider declawing cats and kittens cruel, unethical, unnecessary, even illegal, there are still far too many here in the US and Canada who continue to find excuses to perform this still legal cruelty. Since many cat owners still do not realize it is not only unnecessary, but wrong, they will continue to demand this surgery without a single thought. Eventually it will be illegal here as well, but that time may be too late for too many cats.Laser declawing is simply a more expensive, less bloody method of maiming a cat for life!

Many veterinarians, fearing loss of money into their clinics as some people slowly began to realize the problems connected with amputation of claws, bone, ligaments and veins, initialized still another idea to coax unaware pet parents into their clinics. The Laser! Sadly, there is still a great amount of pain connected with laser, though tests show the pain comes later with laser and two days later you couldn't tell a scalpel declaw from a laser declaw, people somehow have been lead to believe this is OK. Because there is less bloody mess? It's still actual bone amputation, and long-term effects both physical and psychological may ruin the pet person's chance of enjoying a healthy, happy, well behaved kitty. Because undue stress leads to health problems, and because simple logic should deduct that this surgery, no matter how it's done, is unethical, cruel, unnecessary, and may carry with it potential long-term problems...still...Unfortunately you will even see advertisements all over the internet, newspapers and magazines saying this method is Guilt Free. Picture this: a smiling child holding a just laser-declawed cat or kitten! The reality is, the child is smiling, the cat isn't! Of course cats don't smile, but this picture prompts thoughts of a *happy* ending. What's wrong with this picture? It portrays barbaric cruelty as normal, good, right, OK.

It is disheartening to see that veterinarians are using this wonderful laser machine to actually harm our beautiful felines! Laser declaws are simply burning through bone, veins, tendons, skin, rather than cutting, with the same result...when someone tells you their kitty's laser declaw was a huge success, ask them again in a few years...Laser surgery is easier, more convenient, more expensive, but laser surgery should never include declawing.

Before you even think of such a drastic step-please...ask yourself this...When thinking of the laser as a method of taking away your pets' defense, its' fingers or toes, think again!

Would you like to go through life unable to use your fingers?A cat's claws are used like you use your fingers! Yes! How happy would YOU be with only your palms to do daily tasks? Would it frustrate you? Stress you?The answer is YES, of course it would.

What is your favorite activity? Dancing? Running? Sports? Gardening?How well would you master these activities with no toes and/or no fingers? A cat uses both front and back claws for brakes, balance, scratching, grooming, for vigorous exercise, Manipulating objects, for ease in climbing, ALL of it's claws are used daily for it's own enjoyment. Would you and others consider one handicapped without all of their appendages?The answer is YES

How do you best express yourself? Through writing? Orally? Artistically? Gesture?A cat leaves scents (undetected by humans) when it scratches on surfaces, it's a way he expresses himself, leaves messages (Undetected by humans). These messages are left on their own furniture, if you provide them, Not YOURS. Without his claws, he will attempt to mark territory, but his messages are silenced now...perhaps he will find another way?)Would YOU feel frustrated and maybe just give up if you could no longer articulate your thoughts to other humans? The answer is YES

If you do not believe you have what it takes to train a kitten, or are too lazy to try, don't have the time or interest, aren't even caring enough to provide for your pet what it really needs for it's enjoyment, happiness, and your assurance of a peaceful coexistence (a GOOD, STURDY, tall cat tree with sisal poles) knowing what problems you may be causing your pet if you take away it's most prized possession, cruelly change it's anantomy, please solve all problems in the simplest way possible. Please, do not adopt or purchase a cat or kitten!

If you honestly understood the problems and pain you may cause an animal for it's life, yet still consider having this procedure done, you might reconsider your reasons for wanting a feline as a forever pet, then seriously consider the possibility of another, less active, less sociable pet.

Thank you for that consideration!

Declaw is the No. 1 reason cats start going outside the litterbox, according to http://animalradio.com/.

Improper use of the litterbox is still the No. 1 reason cats lose their homes and end up in shelters or euthanized.