[FEL-L] De-claw debate

[Sabira Woolley]

I find it curious that the post I sent that addressed this topic, and  
proposed an alternative claw removal method that does not cripple the  
animal, was never responded to by anyone.

I have pasted it below, in case anyone is interested.

Does no one here know about this, and any pros and cons?

Sabira

On Aug 8, 2006, at 8:25 PM, Sabira Woolley wrote:
> I am generally against declawing felines, unless it is in a  
> situation where it is deemed truly necessary. I do not believe I  
> can make a blanket rule for others about what makes it necessary. I  
> do believe we can all educate one another and help better decisions  
> to be made.
>
> Here is a question - In the case of big cats, can the claw removal  
> procedure be done in which they remove the claw without removing  
> the bone?
>
> An informative and respected cattery website that lists 3 ways to  
> do declawing, only approves of this method -
>
> Claw Removal:  Involves making a tiny incision in each toe and  
> removing the claw ONLY.  Recovery is speedy and although there is a  
> small risk of the claw growing back, this is more common in animals  
> with very thick claws and is not frequently observed in cats.
>
> When this topic came up before on another list, I spoke with my  
> mother (a lifelong animal lover and raiser) about it. She grew up  
> in Europe. She insists claw removal without removing the joint was  
> routinely done there at that time, and in the US it was either  
> discontinued or not done due to laziness i.e. unwillingness to put  
> the time in and develop the skill. She said no one she knew back  
> then would have considered the removal of the bone.
>
> This conversation was about a year ago, and at the time, I could  
> find all 3 methods of removing claws by doing internet searches -  
> the removal of the first digit (with or without lasers), the  
> cutting of the tendon, and this method in which only the claw  
> itself is removed (which seems to me to be much preferable). When I  
> searched today, I found no mention of the "claw removal" method,  
> only scads of sites talking about the other two. I am puzzled by this.
>
> Sabira

On Aug 10, 2006, at 7:14 PM, ben willis wrote:
>
> This controversial topic has been discussed on this
> list a number of times. Generally, it results in a
> series of insults, name calling, and ultimately a
> polarization views and opinions. This time there have
> been less participants, but many facts have been
> brought forward and those facts overwhelmingly support
>
> a ban on the practice of declawing felines. More
> importantly, those who have chosen to opine on the
> subject have the credentials to support their opinions
> whether they advocate or oppose the practice.
> Interestingly, the best evidence to support such a ban
> has come from those who openly agree with the the
> practice of de-clawing. Almost every individual admits
> that
> botched surgeries do occur, depending on which
> veterinarian the owner elects to hire.
>
> "My vet is experienced with wild felines and says they
> do fine declawed if the tendons are reconnected
> rather than simply being cut as is done my most vets
> who declaw domestic cats. "
>
> "we have raised exotics for 20 years and have had
> successes and failures with regard to grow backs,
> depending on the expertise of our Vets....... "
>
> One member with more than fifty years experience in
> dealing with exotic felines and un-questionable
> credentials has indicated that claw extractions are
> primarily done to protect costumes, props, and
> injuries
> to actors.
>
> "I also know a lot of animal trainers that would not
> work their animals if they were not declawed.  This is
> to protect the actors that they must work with here in
> California." " The only reason that they are declawed
> is to protect costumes and props and people from
> getting hurt."
>
> One has even suggested that de-claw surguries may even
> promote attacks by causing a false sense of safety in
> people, therefore causing them to take less
> precautions
> when handling big cats.
>
> "A more likely connection would that be owners of
> declawed big cats, get closer, are more physical with
> the animal and tend to take chances one would not take
> with a fully armed cat.  Thus leading to increase
> incident of injury."
> "Inversely it is likely that people with clawed cats
> are more cautious and engage in less risky behavior.
> The claws are like a barrier that keeps you away from
> the things that can really hurt you."
>
> In any case, these comments were not taken out of
> context. While I may not completely agree with them
> all, they do little to convince anyone that claw
> extractions are necessary to protect humans or
> animals. In fact they do just the opposite.
>
> Ben Willis
>
>
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