[FEL-L] Question for all

SaraServal saraserval at comcast.net
Sun Aug 6 06:05:57 CDT 2006


I have a question for you.
You and your cat are happy, he is not declawed. He is bonded to you, loves on you, and you do the same for him. One day during this interaction between the two of you, he accidentally becomes too happy, or becomes excited in play, grabs you with his claw. He does not do any serious injury, just gives you a scratch or two, maybe a gash.  It does however require medical attention. You go to the doctor's, and he has to report it to the authorities.  Will he list it as an "attack", even though it was during play or a bonding period.  How are the authorities going to react?  Willing to take that chance of being questioned or even harassed by the authorities?
Also are you going to be giving off signals of apprehension next time you go into the cage with him or her?  Remembering how bad that scratch or that gash had hurt?
Would this incident hurt the bond that you two share?
I know Doc personally, he is a great guy, and gives the best hugs ever.  I have spent time with him during the past two FCF conventions.  I value his friendship, but we agree to disagree on certain subjects, especially declawing.  
We can be shown documentation after documentation, call upon an expert to an expert, and yet to another expert, each of us have our own opinions.  There have been many declawing that have been conducted without an incident, or a poorly batched job.  It all depends on how experienced the vet is. Some vets still practice medicine on exotic felines as if they were domesticated cats.  That is why it is so imperalitive to find an experienced exotic vet who has worked on felines and knows proper procedures to ensure the safety of the feline, the declawing, the anesthesia, the recover period.
The only way I see this thread is going to go, is into a very controversial argument, we all do have the right, to agree to disagree, we all have the right to our own opinions, so let's end this thread before it gets nasty.

  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: GemOJungle at aol.com 
  To: felines-l at catbox.com 
  Sent: Saturday, August 05, 2006 5:41 PM
  Subject: Re: [FEL-L] Question for all



  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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