[FEL-L] Question for all
GemOJungle at aol.com
GemOJungle at aol.com
Sat Aug 5 16:41:27 CDT 2006
THIS IS A OLD POST BUT IT TELLs ALOT ABOUT DECLAW
Many of the worlds most experienced trainers (Josip Marcan, Darryl Atkins,
Ray Thunder Hawk, Rick Glassy, The team at the Tiger Island project
)etc...as
well as myself Dr. Bhagavan Antle and many many more world wide are
opposed
to the declawing of big cats.
I have had very close personal contact with over 400 big cats and have
never
had a serious scratch. I have had over 1/2 million members of the general
public in contact with my cats and they never left a mark. We have made
more
than 500 films, TV shows and commercials with our animals without incident.
I
have on the other hand seen so many bad declaws that I have lost count, so
many cats have suffered needlessly.
For an unfounded fear that some inexperienced people have of big cats. If
they need to be declawed to handle them then you have the wrong cat or are
using the wrong technique, declawing is never the answer.
I have seen skilled Veterinarians do what should be a perfect declaw only
to
see the animal/s years later with pain and countless foot problems. It is a
risk whenever its done and in the long run serves no point.
I am not saying that anyone else must not declaw only that in my personal
experience and in the experience of many of the best trainers, we know that
declawing is pointless and done without good reason.
If you think declawing is the answer then get more experience from a
trainer
who knows how not to get scratched.
If your furniture is at stake get new furniture that is cat proof or put up
with. Do not ask an animal to suffer for your pleasure.
This is the letter that many of us trainers got to try to help the people
trying to stop the declawing of big cats.
Dr. Bhagavan Antle
Director of T.I.G.E.R.S.
_www.tigerfriends.com _ (http://www.tigerfriends.com/)
The Paw Project is asking for support of California Assembly Bill, AB 1857.
This bill to ban declawing of captive wild cats (such as lions, tigers, and
cougars) was introduced a few weeks ago and assigned to the Public Safety
Committee a couple of days ago. We learned today that the committee
hearings
are scheduled for March 16th, so LETTERS SHOULD BE IN BY MARCH 9...only a
few
days away.
We urgently need letters of support written to the members of the Public
Safety Committee of the California Assembly. The addresses and sample
letters
are below.
We can e-mail you Word documents of the addresses and letters and other
supporting information on request.
Organizations and individuals should write letters of support to all of the
committee members. The Chairman is Mark Leno. Paul Koretz, the author of
the bill, sits on this committee. The names of organizations are listed in
the
Bill Analysis and can be very influential to the committee members.
Many, many thanks,
Jim Jensvold
The Paw Project
PO Box 445
Santa Monica, CA 90406
_www.pawproject.com_ (mip://00fc7808/www.pawproject.com)
*******************************************************************
THE BILL, AB 1857 (a brief summary):
This bill would make it a misdemeanor, punishable as specified, for any
person to perform, procure, or arrange for surgical claw removal,
declawing,
onychectomy, or tendonectomy on an exotic or native wild cat species (i.e.,
ALL
CATS EXCEPT DOMESTIC, OR HOUSE, CATS) or from altering such a cat's toes,
claws, or paws in order to prevent their normal functioning. The bill would
exempt from the prohibition procedures performed solely for a therapeutic
purpose,
as defined in the bill. Because a violation of this prohibition would be a
crime, the bill would impose a state-mandated local program.
************************************************************************
SAMPLES LETTERS
Here are some sample letters supporting AB 1857, the California Ban on
Declawing of Wild and Exotic Cats. Please edit, personalize, or modify in
any way
you would like. The letters should be sent by US Mail (much preferred over
email) as soon as possible. The hearings are scheduled for March 16, 2004.
Letters should be received by March 9, 2004.
Sample letter #1
RE: In support of AB 1857, Ban on Declawing of Wild and Exotic Cats
(Address)
Dear Assemblymember... (fill in name of Assemblymember):
I am writing you to urge you to support Assemblymember Koretz' bill AB
1857,
which is scheduled to be discussed by your committee soon. AB 1857 is a
very
much-needed bill, which will put an end to the painful and crippling
amputation surgery practiced on many captive wild and exotic cats, such as
lions and
tigers. AB 1857 will outlaw this archaic practice and will reinforce the
need for animal owners to use proper and humane training techniques.
(If you have any personal experience with declawing, especially negative
ones, please write it down here, and use the first person to be more
appealing)
Animal declawing is outlawed by most industrialized nations and considered
by many experts like the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA),
which
"opposes declawing of captive exotic and other wild (indigenous) cats for
nonmedical reasons. Because of their size, weight, and environment, exotic
and
wild cats commonly experience adverse effects when onychectomy (declawing)
is
performed."
Declawing is also opposed by the Association of Veterinarians for Animal
Rights (AVAR), the Humane Society of the United States, People for the
Ethical
Treatment of Animals, In Defense of Animals, Animal Protection Institute,
and
Last Chance for Animals. In addition to these well-known American
organizations, the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons of Great Britain
has gone on
record to declare that "declawing is an unnecessary mutilation."
Finally, we realize the State is facing many crucial battles, but this is
an
issue that is very important not only to animals but voters like me. I urge
your "Yes" vote on AB 1857.
Should you have any questions, please contact me at your earliest
convenience.
Very truly yours,
Sample letter #2
RE: In support of AB 1857, Ban on Declawing of Wild and Exotic Cats
I urge you to support AB 1857. I believe that wild and exotic cats, such as
lions and tigers animal should never have to undergo this unnecessary and
painful procedure when humane training alternatives are available.
Many animal trainers, humane organizations, and American Veterinary Medical
Association (AVMA) oppose declawing. Thank you for doing what is right and
voting yes on AB 1857.
Sincerely,
Sample Letter #3
RE: In support of AB 1857, Ban on Declawing of Wild and Exotic Cats
Please vote yes on AB 1857. Declawing is cruel. I have seen the crippling
effects of declawing on cats such as lions and tigers. Proper training and
handling, not declawing is the answer to the animal safety question. There
are
dozens of cases of declawed cats maiming and killing people...with their
teeth. In fact, cats may be more prone to biting after their claws have
been
amputated.
Declawed cats are often dumped in already over-burdened animal sanctuaries,
or suffer worse fates, when they become crippled. I urge you to protect
animals from this horrible fate.
Thank you,
Sample Letter #4
RE: In support of AB 1857, Ban on Declawing of Wild and Exotic Cats
I strongly support AB 1857, the proposed ban on declawing of exotic cats,
such as lions and tigers. I believe declawing is an unnecessary procedure
that
has no benefit to the animal and that can cause serious physical and
behavioral problems. Because of the high rate of complications from this
procedure,
declawing is opposed by the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA).
The passage of AB 1857 will spare cats pain and suffering, and will be a
step forward in the humane and compassionate treatment of animals. I
sincerely
hope this bill is enacted.
Sincerely yours,
****************************************************************************
PUBLIC SAFETY COMMITTEE
Mark Leno, Chair
Dem-13 (San Francisco)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Mark Leno
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0013
Phone: (916) 319-2013
Fax: (916) 319-2113
E-mail: Assemblymember.leno at assembly.ca.gov
Website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a13/
Paul Koretz (author of the bill)
Dem-42 (West Hollywood, Beverly Hills, Bel Air, Sherman Oaks)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Paul Koretz
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0042
Phone: (916) 319-2042
Fax: (916) 319-2142
E-mail: Assemblymember.Koretz at assembly.ca.gov
Website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a42/
Jay La Suer, Vice Chair
Rep-77 (El Cajon, La Mesa, Santee, San Diego)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Jay La Suer
State Capitol
Room 2016
Sacramento, CA 94249-0077
Phone: (916) 319-2077
Fax: (916) 319-2177
E-mail: Assemblymember.Lasuer at assembly.ca.gov
Website: http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/members/index.asp?Dist=77&lang=1
Todd Spitzer
Rep-71 (Corona, Mission Viejo, Orange, Norco)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Todd Spitzer
State Capitol
Room 2111
Sacramento, CA 94249-0071
Phone: (916) 319-2071
Fax: (916) 319-2171
E-mail: Assemblymember.spitzer at assembly.ca.gov
Website: http://republican.assembly.ca.gov/members/index.asp?Dist=71&lang=1
Jackie Goldberg
Dem-45 (Los Angeles, Echo Park, Hollywood)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Jackie Goldberg
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0045
Phone: (916) 319-2045
Fax: (916) 319-2145
E-mail: Assemblymember.Goldberg at assembly.ca.gov
Website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a45/
Mervyn M. Dymally
Dem-52 (Los Angeles, Watts, Compton, Paramount)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Mervyn M. Dymally
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0052
Phone: (916) 319-2052
Fax: (916) 319-2152
E-mail: Assemblymember.dymally at assembly.ca.gov
Website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a52/
Rudy Bermúdez (that's "Bermudez" with an accent over the "u")
Dem-56 (Artesia, Buena Park, Cerritos, Norwalk, Whittier)
ADDRESS:
Assemblymember Rudy Bermúdez
State Capitol
P.O. Box 942849
Sacramento, CA 94249-0056
Phone: (916) 319-2056
Fax: (916) 319-2156
E-mail: Assemblymember.bermudez at assembly.ca.
Website: http://democrats.assembly.ca.gov/members/a56/
Dr. Bhagavan Antle
Director of T.I.G.E.R.S.
_www.tigerfriends.com _ (http://www.tigerfriends.com/)
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
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