Considered mutilation by many, a simple mention of the word "declaw" warrants an adamant response from even nonfeline fans. Even though the vocal aversion to declawing is already a no-brainer to most of you, the recently proposed ban on the procedure here in SF has earned (what may appear to be) some unlikely challengers — the SPCA.
Even though the organization both opposes the procedure and doesn't practice onychectomy at its hospital, it doesn't agree with legal regulation and SFSPCA President Jan McHugh-Smith worries the proposed law could have other negative side effects:
"The SFSPCA is opposed to declawing . . . but we are concerned about the option being taken away from the guardian. They could potentially give up the pet, and it could end up in a shelter and end up being euthanized."
So the argument is not just about the morality of the procedure but on the involvement of politics in medicine and that city council members have no place regulating such procedures — what's your take?
Source: Flickr User Muffet
Stuart Weitzman
Bi La Li
Philosophy di Alberta Ferretti
Whoa... overwhelming results in the poll so far. Totally agree with the SPCA's take on the ban. At first, it seemed like a good idea, but after reading and thinking more, I completely see -- and agree -- with their point!
1As I don't own and never owned a cat, I can't really have an opinion. On one side, I understand if your cat is 100% indoor and you hate it destroying your furniture that you would prefer your cat declawed. On the other side, I understand you're taking away your cat's way of protecting itself.
2I choose - "I disagree with declawing but disagree with the proposed ban. "
First - I volunteer at the SF SPCA. I'm learning to work with the cats and kittens that are up for adoption there. And I understand the SPCA's stated position on declawing.
Second - There are people who really want a cat and would be great caretakers but cannot have a cat if the cat has claws. Its too dangerous for some people.
Example- My sister had breast cancer and had all the lymph nodes in her arms removed. We didn't find out before the surgery that she now shouldn't be around her cats. Because she has no lymph nodes in her arms she has no ability to fight off a simple infection she could get from a cat scratch on her arms. If she gets scratched now and gets an infection she's screwed, she'll have to have IV antibiotics every time just to prevent a possible infection. If see falls to notice a scratch there's a countdown to imposed on her health.
However, with that said my sister will not have any of the five cats declawed. My sister says she is just going to be extra cautious around the cats and she's just going to take the risk upon herself because she doesn't want to harm the cats and they need to be able to defend themselves against each other, however we can completely understand why people would opt for declawing.
Seriously Immuno-compromised people who are cat-lovers are left have the option of going without the love of a cat or taking the drastic step of having their pet as humanely hurt so that they can have a life together. It's not a pleasant choice to have to make but it's a responsible caretakers option.
3the "I agree with declawing and agree with the proposed ban" option doesn't make much sense lol.
4Also, it makes me feel a lot more at ease to know that my cat has such a good way to protect herself.
5I just use a human nail clipper and clip the tips of my cats' claws. Its quick, painless and saves my furniture and clothes. They never go out of the house so its not like they have to worry about protecting themselves, and if they play rough, they won't hurt each other.
6It's hard to see an animal in the shelter, but the shelter's better than declawing, in my opinion. There are so many potential physical, emotional and behavioral side effects for the cat, it's hard for me to imagine that the "Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals" wouldn't take this ban as a top goal. I think the ban, plus an educational campaign about declawing alternatives, would be a big step in the right direction
7wackdoodle, while I see your point, a declawed cat is generally more likely to bite (or rabbit-fight) if it feels threatened, which is a deeper wound and puts immuno-compromised people at risk anyway. And softpaws function just as effectively in terms of protection from scratches.
8I disagree with clawing and agree with the ban because if people will not stop mutilating their cats of their own accord despite the evidence that it is grossly inhumane then they need to be stopped by legislation. Declawing is banned in 38 countries, we manage very nicely with clawed cats, including the immunosuppressed and cancer sufferers. If declawing is not an option then people will have to find a way to live with clawed cats or quite simply not adopt a cat.
9I adopted two cats long ago and had them declawed when they were six months old. They are both now 18 years old, healthy and happy. I can honestly say I don't believe they've missed them for a second. And it was no more traumatic for them than when I had them spayed.
10I used to have two cats who would play and fight a lot. Because they were seriously hurting each other, we decided something had to be done. We started with those little claw condoms that you glue on, and aside from the trouble of putting them on, both of my cats actually ate them off of their feet because they hated them so much. One of my cats nibbled off part of his his toe to remove it. That was when we decided to declaw them. I'm glad we had the option, and I don't think it should be take away from people who are in a similar situation.
11I had my kitten declawed. She is a completely indoor cat and it just made sense. She's completely happy, healthy, energetic and loves being cuddled - there are no "side effects' to declawing.
12I have declawed all my cats, and will continue to do so untill they decide to implement this silly ban.
I have had about 12 cats in my lifetime, all declawed, not one of them had issues from it. Not even the day after.
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I don't understand why you would get a cat only to declaw the poor thing. If you want your home pristine, maybe don't get a pet?
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