Celebrate ~^..^~ Claws!

Re: Animal Communicators & pet psychics

houseofcats — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 02:02:59 GMT

Another good article from a pet pyschic:

http://www.independent.com/news/2009/nov/13/pet-psychic-talks-declawed-cats/

Pet Psychic Talks to Declawed Cats

Some Find Painful Toe Amputation Hard to Forgive

Friday, November 13, 2009

By Laura Stinchfield.

I know a lot of cats that have been declawed. Before I was an animal professional, I didn’t think much of it.

When I was 10 years old a family friend gave us a large orange female tabby cat named Samantha. She was previously an indoor-only Park Avenue, New York City cat. When she came to our house she became the barn cat. Though she was declawed, it did not seem to slow her down. She could jump four feet in the air and grab a bird in flight and climb the ladder to the hayloft with ease. Dotti, another declawed cat, could hunt mice and climb trees.

A few years ago, I was called into talk to three cats in the same home. Two had already been declawed and one was scheduled for the following day. I was mortified and haunted by what they told me. They were in excruciating pain. It hurt to walk. They felt mutilated, traumatized, and upset with their person. The other cat was so frightened about what would happen to her the next day that she wouldn’t come out from under the bed.

What I learned that day is that declawing a cat means the vets amputate part of the cat’s paw! They cut at the first joint! Cats walk on their toes. I was sick for days and unfortunately I could not convince the owner to refrain from declawing the third cat. It was one of those times that I could not “meet a person where they are at,” nor could I have compassion for her. I felt she was abusive, with awareness, and I found it hard to forgive her for getting the cat declawed. I wanted to take all three cats away from her. I felt she didn’t deserve them.

Declawing cats is cruel. West Hollywood already has already put a ban on declawing cats and Santa Monica is expected to soon give final approval to such a measure. Malibu, Beverly Hills, and San Francisco are also considering declawing bans.

Let’s hear it from the cats that have been declawed:

Dottie: I was declawed because I ripped my persons favorite chair. I have never been in so much pain. I survived a coyote attack and being in its jaws was nothing to the feeling of when I woke up and noticed that I didn’t have part of my paws. I hated my person so much after that that I ran away and found a new family.

Magic (recently declawed): I couldn’t swallow for weeks after my surgery. It was hard to breathe, I was in so much pain. I didn’t understand it. I need my claws to climb. I think because I don’t have my paws, my body doesn’t work right. I can walk and play, but it feels different. My neck hurts a lot and so does my back. I never thought people could be so mean. I hated my people so much that I kept biting them. They have been talking about giving me away to someone else. But then you came over and told me they didn’t know any better, they didn’t know it was cruel, and you kept telling me how sorry you were for me. That made me feel better, because you understand how terrible it felt and if I were your cat you wouldn’t have declawed me. I wish you had told my people earlier. I am learning to trust and love them now. I don’t bite anymore and they are going to keep me. I am learning to forgive them.

Susan (the cat that was declawed the day after I told her people how the other cats felt being declawed and how scared Susan was): I felt so blessed that you came over and talked us all through it. I hate my person more than anything now. I can’t stand to look at her. I try to throw up on her things as often as I can. I have a good life with my other cat siblings, but I hate my person so much that at times I wish she would stop breathing. Before this happened I loved her more than anything. I would comfort her when she was upset and I would try to be perfect. It didn’t mean anything to her. If I had enough courage I would run away. I feel half a cat with out my claws. I don’t know if I could survive outside. I wish I had a different life. I wish I was brave enough to run away.

More Pet Psychic columns

http://www.independent.com/news/2009/nov/13/pet-psychic-talks-declawed-cats/

Re: Frightening ignorance about declawing

houseofcats — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:48:33 GMT

It's so shocking and painful to read the blatant ignorance that exists in our society about this cruelty to animals. What I want to know is WHO is adopting to these people without educating them about the easy alternativs to natural & healthy cat behavior & the true nature of this surgery (most of the rescues & shelters in our country, that's who!), and where is the education coming from the vets office????

These poor animals. This suffering is completely NEEDLESS!!

BOYCOTT SHELTERS & RESCUES that adopt to de-clawers!

BOYCOTT SHELTERS & RESCUES who do not educate their adopters about de-clawing!

BOYCOTT Vets that de-claw!!!!

Berkeley bans cat declawing

houseofcats — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:39:55 GMT

Berkeley bans cat declawing

"The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to ban the veterinary practice of declawing cats within city limits, making it a misdemeanor punishable by a $1,000 fine or six months in jail.

Calling it a "horrific" procedure that only benefits the owner of the cat, Councilman Jesse Arreguin, who co-authored the law with Councilwoman Susan Wengraf, said in passing the law Berkeley stays true to its "history of being humane to all its creatures.".....

"A survey of Southern California veterinarians showed that 95 percent of vets are declawing cats to protect furniture," said Veterinarian Jennifer Conrad. "I urge you to protect cats in your city. It's an amputation of the last bone in the cat's toe."

Retired veterinarian Jean Hofve regrets the times she declawed cats.

"I declawed hundreds of cats and it is horrible, cruel and inhumane," Hofve said. "After declawing cats develop behavior problems, biting and litter box avoidance problems. To create a situation where more cats are likely to bite is unconscionable."....

READ FULL ARTICLE: http://www.contracostatimes.com/top-stories/ci_13759723

Barbi Twins Call for Nationwide De-Claw BAN!!!

houseofcats — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 16:33:38 GMT

http://www.examiner.com/x-24040-LA-Pet-Products-Examiner~y2009m11d10-Barbi-Twins-instrumental-advocates-for-the-city-of-Los-Angeles-ban-on-declawing

Barbi Twins are now kitty advocates
Barbi Twins

The Barbi Twins, made infamous in the 90's for their record-breaking Playboy covers, top-selling calendars and their E! True Hollywood Story documentary have now retired to become full-time animal activists. Their newest and most urgent animal campaign is a nationwide ban on the painful practice of declawing cats.

This past Friday, the city of Los Angeles voted to ban the practice of Onychectomy, the medical term for declawing. The movement is spreading nationwide as towns and cities become aware of the facts behind the inhumane practice.   "In a perfect world, my sister and I would like less government involvement, but the government must step in for those who have no voice and in this case, the animals need that help!" Shane said. "When big business interferes, comes in and tries to profit from cruel practices on animals, then we have to stop their actions." Sia added.

"Most people don't realize the declawing of cats is a cruel amputation of a cat's 'fingers' or 'toes' which can increase crippling of the animal by as much as 50%."   Sia said. Reportedly, Veterinarians advise declawing of animals for owners who have poor immune systems. The idea of course, is to reduce any accidental scratches to the skin. However, declawed animals have shown an increase in behavioral problems, biting and unwanted marking of furniture and carpets. Many owners claim that when their natural primary defense is taken away by declawing, aggressive behavior quickly follows and some cats even stop using their litter box because of the initial pain. But fighting against an industry, where individual vet clinics can net $100,000 a year just from the procedure, is a most difficult proposition. It is a battle which involves educating the public with facts and studies. Even the USDA has recently banned declawing of big cats (Tigers, Lions, etc.) as an inhumane and cruel practice. The United States has no broad laws banning declawing of small cats, while 20 other countries, including Brazil, Japan, Israel and most of Europe have outlawed the practice on pets.

On January 1, 2010 the veterinarian associations are working to pass a law prohibiting any interference in regards to the surgical practice of declawing. "Compassionate people are trying to move ahead of this movement to ban the declawing of cats city by city before the SB 762 Bill becomes law." Shane said. "People are responding. There are already cities outside California, like Norfolk, Virginia, passing laws against declawing.   In nationwide polls concerning animal safety or cruelty - like in the Michael Vick case - people will always side with the animals and now is the time for us to become proactive on this issue." Sia added. "Call your own local and state representatives to push for legislature to prevent this state bill and to stop declawing of animals in your own neighborhood."

"Contrary to what many believe, declawed cats are the pets usually abandoned because owners, who choose their furniture's well-being over their cat's, will rarely put up with behavioral issues brought on by the declawing," Shane emphasized. "That's right sis. Get a cat scratching post if you're worried about your furniture. In fact, our old pictures are now popular because they are used for scratching postsinstead of dart boards, and also now used to line the kitty litter boxes!"

"Seriously, we want people to know about this issue. Please go to pawproject.org to find out which cities need support, which cities are voting on the issue now and learn which ones have been successful.   Boycott any vet that practices cat declawing. We must put a stop to this cruel and needless act on our animal friends."

Website:
http://www.pawproject.org/

http://www.KittyLiberationFront.org

http://www.examiner.com/x-24040-LA-Pet-Products-Examiner~y2009m11d10-Barbi-Twins-instrumental-advocates-for-the-city-of-Los-Angeles-ban-on-declawing

Re: Long time anti-declaw advocate speaks FOR de-clawing cats!

kattaddorra — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:38:21 GMT

Thankfully the council members saw right through Mr Bok's weak arguments ! He tried to make out that people are eager to adopt declawed cats from Rescue Shelters, of course he had no statistics of how many were adopted out. Nor did he give the reasons why the declawed cats were in the Rescue Shelters in the first place.Surely if declawed cats were so desirable and sought after, there would be NONE needing homes.
The horrible truth is that declawed cats are often in Rescue Shelters because of behavioural problems resulting from declawing ! Why are no records kept of these cats ? How many are destroyed because they can't be adopted out ? Come to that, why are there no records kept by vets of the physical and mental problems of declawed cats ? It's all conveniently swept under the carpet !!!! Out of sight , out of mind, what the eye doesn't see and so forth. These innocent mutilated creatures are looked upon as 'cats' But they are INDIVIDUAL cats,each one a living, breathing , feeling creature, just like people are !
Yes, Mr Boks also tried to say that ear clipping of feral cats after neutering is akin to declawing.What rubbish !!! A cat doesn't need the tip of its ear, to walk, to groom, to exercise and to defend itself with ! Ear clipping is for the good of the cat, it's plain to see which cats have been neutered by that and therefore save them the trauma of another trip to the vets.
He talks about vets only declawing as a last resort ! So what about kittens being declawed ? What about people getting a kitten knowing full well they don't have to bother to teach it to use a scratching post, they can just go to a pro declaw vet and have the kittens toe ends removed, no questions asked. In fact, they can even sometimes get a neuter/declaw package or a discount coupon to encourage them to have a kitten declawed and some vets receptionists even offer declawing with neutering, without being asked about it by the client. The people who are of this mind simply wouldn't get a kitten if they couldn't have it declawed and that would be a very good thing. They don't want a cat, they want an adapted creature. Only people who truly love cats as they come, claws and all,would have cats if declawing was banned.Anyone who would only have an adapted cat is NOT a fit person to have a cat.
In our country no one goes out and brings a kitten home and goes into shock because it has claws !! No one expects those very essential claws to be taken away. No one with babies, children, frail or elderly people thinks a cat should be mutilated for their sake and especially not for the sake of replaceable furniture.
USA pro declaw vets are running scared now that more people are finding out the truth about declawing, they've got away with this cruelty long enough, it has filled up their coffers nicely.But now it's time to catch up with other countries where declawing is banned as animal abuse.
Will Mr Bok change sides AGAIN now he has been uncovered and defeated in Santa Monica ? Whoever's pocket he was in must be bitterly disappointed in him !!!!

Frightening ignorance about declawing

kattaddorra — Tue, 10 Nov 2009 16:21:28 GMT

Just browing through a few recent questions on declawing,I came across some very uneducated,incorrect and misguided statements.
I've left the spelling and punctuation exactly as it was written.
My comments are in blue.

Some of the answers to general questions about declawing:

Is there ever a reason NOT to declaw? Cats are already just annoying. They have to scratch the sh*t out of you and anything they please too?
As I've said before, having a cat is NOT compulsory.This person should be allowed nowhere near any cat let alone own one.

I declawed my kitten years ago because it kept climbing up my back and legs for attention. Yes, also because the furniture. I never let it outside because it wouldn't be able to defend itself. I didn't get the back ones done and dont know if they do it anyways. I'm about to get my two new kittens done within a few months because I have small children and I dont want the cats sticking to their backs!
Obviously hasn't done any research on declawing before she had her kitten mutilated ! And I've never known any kittens stuck to childrens backs !

We declawed two of our cats because they jump up on our curtains and rip them,they also scratch us really bad,and dont worry,i think the cats are put to sleep while they get declawed,its not that the owner does not love them or like them,they just want to be safe,i mean the cats use the litter box and they use there paws to cover up there buisness and when they scratch you there claws are not clean,and you could get infected from the sratch.
This person THINKS the cats are put to sleep while they get declawed ! THINKS they are....for 10 amputations I should HOPE they are. They don't 'get' declawed, their selfish ignorant owner 'gets' them declawed ! Oh dear their claws are not clean ! Nor are other parts of bodies, peoples bodies especially, but they don't have to be amputated !

I would declaw the cat. Cat scratches can cause infections and destroy furniture. Our cat was declawed and she was only in pain for maybe a few days afterward and she did not change in personality.
So that's OK then that the cat was ONLY in pain for maybe a few days afterward ! This person probably wouldn't know if a cat was in pain even if it was dying before her eyes !I wonder if she would like to be in pain for a few days after a totally uneccessary operation ?

A Question:
So we just got my kitten home from getting declawed and on our way home we had to pick up our super so we ran into walmart for like ten minutes and left the kitten in her carrier in the car. well when we got to the car she had chewed on her feet so bad that they were bleeding and torn up. She kept trying to chew on them so when we got home i took some old pieces of t-shirts and some medical tape and bandaged her feet up. What should i do? Is it o.k that i bandaged them up? is this normal or do i need to call the vet? thanks tons!
Had to pick up their 'super' leaving a cat which had just had major surgery, alone,in pain and shock, in the car !Bleeding and torn up feet, is this normal ?Just wrap them up and hope for the best ....oh, or should they call the vet ?
An answer to that question:
Take her to the vet!!! i have declawed both my cats and they NEVER chewed at their paws!! your vet sucks and obviously messed your kittens paws up!!
So the vet sucks ! Right, now we know.
But didn't we already know ALL vets who declaw cats 'suck' Apparently the asker didn't, nor this person who had their cats declawed and they NEVER chewed their paws !
Are people who have their cats declawed to be THANKFUL for that ?

Another Question:
Why is my cat chewing their declawed paws?
Two of my cats just got their front paw declawed a couple of weeks ago. One is doing just fine, but the other, however, has been chewing and licking at hers to the point where there is no fur on the specific part of the paw. I'm so worried, I don't want her to get an infection and rI'm almost regretting even getting them declawed at all! What can I do to keep her from chewing on them and causing further harm to her poor paws? Is this even normal for a cat to do, and will it eventually blow over?
A couple of weeks of chewing and licking mutilated paws, is it normal, will it blow over ? What might blow over is that poor cats life.At the very least she will be lucky if her stumps EVER heal, she may even lose her 'poor' paws.ALMOST regretting getting them declawed ! ALMOST !!!! Did this person receive any information from the vet before or any advice as to how to care for them after subjecting her cats to declawing ? I doubt it !
She had a very 'helpful' answer
Pop her on the head every time she does it, that will stop her.

Some more answers to someone asking about declawing:
Here is a description of what will happen to your cat if you do this.The wild fire in your cats eyes will burn out.Your cat will have depression, and wont be able to defend him/herself from other cats, or catch mice, or climb.This is part of the cat, If you do this, then go ahead and chop your own fingernails off and lets see how you feel.Might as well shoot your cat in the head with a gun since your pretty much ruining its short life.
WELL SAID !

Some pro declaws have their say:
Declawing is a choice that any cat owner should be able to make. The radicals who tell you it's a monstrous thing are hypocritical in the fact that they'll vouch for spay/neutering, a process that is equal in mutilation and removes an organ that actually effects how the animals body works. From vet tech, and involved in hundreds of declaw surgeries that went smoothly and had no long term side effects.
Another 'vet tech' who believes neutering is as mutilating as declawing and has been involved in hundreds of declaw surgeries that went smoothly and had no long term side effects ! REALLY ? And has this person statistics ? No, because none are ever kept !! This is probably another of those 'vet techs' who are in reality the surgery cleaner who disposes of cats amputated healthy toe ends as if they are merely rubbish.
Think about it like this you chop your fingernails offit hurts for 1 hour1 hour of your life is pain big whoopshe might be nicer Thats what happened to my cats. And your furniture wont get scratched up :)
Chop your fingernails off, it hurts for ONE hour ! One thing for sure , this person has never had their finger nails chopped off. She might be nicer ! I think not ! Best of all your furniture won't get scratched up. That's VERY important, look after your precious furniture it doesn't matter if your cats suffer, they are only living feeling beings, inanimate furniture is FAR more important.
They still have their back claws when you get a cat De-clawed.Cats also have very strong back legs thus letting them be incredible jumpers. While intruders can scratch but the de-clawed cat still has teeth does it not? While they can use tooth or claw they have teeth and back claws. While also they can pounce on their opponet with claws sheathed letting them knock out the opponet
Well they can knock out their 'opponet' Fancy that, just like in a boxing ring ! Intruders can scratch, so that must be intruders with their rightful claws. So what are intruders doing in the declawed cats home OR are they in the garden ? But surely declawed cats should NEVER be let outside ?
I believe in declawing because i hate dealing with claws. I got my male cat when he was 8 weeks old and he tore up my furniture and my legs. I tried to teach him how to use the scratching post but he refused. I love love love love cats. I have a tattoo for both my cats now and they are 11 and 1. If anything does happen in surgery with your cat getting declawed, its because your vet sucks
The cat refused to use the scratching post. So he paid the price by losing his toe ends.How hard did the owner try to teach him ? It's not a cat's fault if an owner fails to teach the cat to use a scratching post, it's the fault of the owner !! I love love love love cats.REALLY? You could have fooled me ! Your vet sucks ! Yes that bit IS true, as I've already said ALL vets who declaw 'suck'
I firmly believe declawing a cat is akin to a marriage ceremony whereby you solemnly promise to shelter and take care of that animal till the day they die. If you are unwilling to make that commitment, don't declaw.
So you should take an oath when disabling your cat should you ? Lets hope all the vets who declaw cats have this added to the pre op form which people sign their cats healthy toe ends away upon !
Another question:
How old does a kitten have to be to get declawed?
My Kitten is around 8 weeks old.
Thanks. I know it's bad to do, but my kitten is WILD he destroys EVERYTHING!
Wow, an 8 week old kitten WILD and destroying EVERYHING ! He must be a BIG kitten, is he a tiger ?
Another question:
I got my cat de clawed and now she wont use the litter box! help what should i do?
ok so my cat is now de clawed! thank God she was ruining my house! my arms, o and my poor dog's face.( i got the new laser removal de clawing) but my cat isnt supposed to use real litter in her box instead it needs to be filled with paper, but the problem with that is she wont use it. she goes potty everywhere else but the box, so im just curious if giving her real litter is it gonna hurt her? or wont it matter?
A cat ruining the house, her arms , AND the poor dog's face too! Naughty puss. Wait a minute though, hadn't the cat got a scratching post ? And what was the dog doing to the cat to make her retaliate by scratching its face? Where was the owner to let this happen ? Oh well, it's OK for the dog now as it will be able to pester the life out of the crippled cat without being scratched any more.
Will it matter if real litter hurts her ? Why worry about hurting her more, the poor cat has already been hurt beyond endurance !
A short answer from someone obviously VERY 'knowledgeable' indeed about declawed cats:
Its time to upgrade your litter

This poor girl couldn't convince her mom not to declaw her kitten:
The vet told my mom that amputating the joint was the OLD method and inhumane, so he "only takes out the nail and nailbed" Um, hello, same thing! the nailbed IS the distal phalanx! She believes him. No point in even telling her he's twisting it.
This is dreadful, this girl did her research,found out the terrible truth and tried to educate her mom who wouldn't listen.Foolish mom trusting a person trained to help animals but who agrees to harm them

Another question:
How much does it cost to declaw a Tiger?
Someone has asked me to buy a baby Tiger. It would have to be a house cat though. I put in for a permit with the city. They told me they could train me to train it.
A sensible answer:
NEVER declaw any animal.and if this is a Large tiger ... call yourself dinner.

Another question:
Why do my cats scratch the carpet, sofa etc, even though they have no claws?
They were declawed when they were little, most people do, because its comon sense to declaw your cats, if they have two, you know so they dont tear eachother up?
So most people do, its common sense is it ? NO most people do NOT . that's common sense ! They research declawing and change their minds when they find out the truth !
Two cats tearing each other up ? That's strange,over 35 years of mulitiple cats in our home and NONE of them have EVER torn each other up !Nor have any others in multiple cat households I know of.

Some answers:
They are taking their anger out on it.
They don't love you. you tore out their claws you sick person.
I have to agree !

Oh look a pro declaw popped up to answer:
Declawing cats is not animal abuse. it is a way to keep yourself, younger kids, and you furniture safe. think about what you house would look like if you cats still had claws. i don't think it would look to good.
Keep safe above all !! Cats are very dangerous ! AND keep 'you' furniture safe whatever you do !!!! Shock, horror if your house doesn't look 'to' good !

An anti declaw who sounds as fed up as I am of the crass ignorance of people trying to justify having their cats disabled:
Its a losing battle people, you can't fix stupid no matter how hard you try.
How true !!!!

Another reply:
My kitty does that too! They do have glands in the paws and it's another way of marking their territory...they're also just stretching too. Oh! My cat does it sometimes after using the litter box because sometimes the tiny pebbles get stuck in between their toesies. =) But still, my cat never had a problem being declawed. If he still had them, I wouldn't be able to let him knead and "make bread" on my arms and legs like he does a lot, haha.
Pebbles get stuck in between their 'toesies' I think that means STUMPS don't you ? Ah, he couldn't 'make bread' if he had his rightful claws ! Why not ? Our cats have 'made bread' for 35 years with claws and all !!!!

Another very frightening question:
I need my cat declawed due to excessive scratching. How much is average cost to verify that I am getting a good deal? How long do the cat not able to go outside?
Apparently this asker doesn't even know the cat should NEVER go outside after declawing. Not much research done by this person I'd say. Still he/she is more worried about getting a good deal ! Oh well, plenty vets to snap this up and whack off the cat's toe ends eagerly, without explaining what the operation is and the physical and mental problems which can develop afterwards.

And to finish this blog, a VERY sad question:
Please answer, need to undo de-clawing?
i wish i didn't de-claw my cat. she is so sad now. it was a mistake. how can i undo the declawing? i love my cat, please answer.
As we all know, declawing can NEVER be undone,the last joints of the cat's toes are gone FOREVER !

I think everyone reading this will agree that education and knowledge about the cruel reality of declawing is VERY VERY lacking !

Therefore declawing MUST be banned:
http://www.petitionthem.com/default.asp?sect=detail&pet=4312

One more point,there seems to be a lot of pro declaws saying it's declaw or death for cats, they say that is what last resort means.Strange, I thought last resort meant for serious scratching behaviour ? Why do people get cats if they don't like that they have claws ? And another thing puzzles me, how can it count as a last resort for kittens, before people even get one, knowing full well they can take them to be declawed. That's definately not last resort, that is not declaw or death, it's pre-meditated mutilation, as they shouldn't get the kitten in the first place.

LOS ANGELES Council Initially Approves Ban On Cat Declawing

houseofcats — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 22:59:12 GMT

Council Initially Approves Ban On Cat Declawing

LOS ANGELES (CBS) ―

http://cbs2.com/pets/Cat.Declaw.Ordinance.2.1297091.html

Declawing cats would be illegal in Los Angeles under an ordinance that was approved Friday by the City Council.

A second vote is needed, however, to send the proposed ordinance to Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa for his signature.

Councilman Paul Koretz, who proposed the ordinance along with Councilman Bill Rosendahl, called declawing a form of mutilation.

"We need to ban declawing, which is one of the most cruel practices," he said. "The obvious truth is that declawing does nothing good for cats. It is not clipping nails. It is actually amputation, sometimes leaving cats crippled and in pain for the rest of the lives."

The ordinance states that "no person, licensed medical professional or otherwise, shall perform or cause to be performed an onychectomy (declawing) or flexor tendonectomy procedure for any means on a cat or any other animal within the city, except when necessary for a therapeutic purpose."

Violations would be considered misdemeanors.

The California Veterinary Medical Association, which represents more than 6,100 veterinary professionals across the state, opposed the ordinance.

In a letter to the mayor, CVMA President Mark Nunez said "the decision to declaw a cat should remain between the owner, in consultation with his or her veterinarian on a case-to-case basis."

According to the city's Department of Animal Services, if done properly, declawing is not animal cruelty, but the procedure should be a last resort before a pet is given up for adoption or euthanized.

http://cbs2.com/pets/Cat.Declaw.Ordinance.2.1297091.html

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

L.A., Beverly Hills move to ban declawing of cats

November 6, 2009 | 1:31 pm

The Los Angeles City Council, in a preliminary action, voted unanimously today to ban the controversial practice of declawing cats, which council members described as unnecessary and abject animal cruelty.

The vote was also a repudiation of the state Legislature, which earlier this year voted to bar local governments from banning the procedure beginning Jan. 1.

"I don't think we should allow people at the state level to dictate to us our local actions," said Councilman Paul Koretz, who sponsored the ordinance.

Said Councilman Bill Rosendahl, who owns three cats: "The bottom line is, you take the claws out of a cat, you take away the cat."

The council is scheduled to take a final vote on the ordinance Nov. 17.

The Beverly Hills City Council unanimously approved a similar ordinance Thursday night. A final vote in that city also is expected Nov. 17.

-- Maeve Reston at L.A. City Hall

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/la-city-council-bans-declawing-of-cats.html

Re: Long time anti-declaw advocate speaks FOR de-clawing cats!

houseofcats — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:21:38 GMT

Here's the youtube link if it doesn't work in the article:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Np0DUXLHC_A

Long time anti-declaw advocate speaks FOR de-clawing cats!

houseofcats — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 17:04:03 GMT

Ed Boks Speaks FOR Declawing Cats

by Michael
(London, UK)

Mr Boks supported this great campaign on his blog.

Shelter manager, Ed Boks has 30 years experience in animal welfare and control and he argued against the Santa Monica ban on declawing. In the event he lost his argument and a ban was granted. Please see: Declawing banned in Santa Monica. But the sickening thing is that this person is a gamekeeper turned poacher in my opinion. He says he abhors declawing. Yet he finds time to support it with a hopelessly weak argument, which I discuss below.

So what arguments did Mr Boks use? Remember his arguments are supposed to be about the best there is for pro-declawers.

His arguments

He says that a ban will result in more cats being relinquished and abandoned and killed in shelters. He says that the people who criticize declawing because it is a mutilation of the cat are people who embrace other forms of mutilation such as cutting the tip off the ear of a feral cat and neutering and spaying. He says that the latter two mutilations are acceptable because it saves lives.

He says that declawing as a last resort is saving a life. If declawing is banned he says that it will force the cat keeper to relinquish the cat. Declawing is life saving when performed as a last resort. He also says that 55% of people would relinquish their cats to shelters if declawing was not open to them.

He was questioned by the council members. This is the summary:

QUESTION “Did the ban on declawing cause a rise in abandonments in West Hollywood?

ANSWER: I don’t know (these are not his words but they amount to what he said in response). He says that there are no studies on how many declawed cats are relinquished. He did not track that as a shelter manager. In fact he agreed that the reasons for relinquishment was not tracked.

Note: no other relevant question is asked in this video on Ed Books speaks for declawing cats

Ed Books speaks for declawing cats in the above video.

My comments on his argument

His argument is incredibly weak. He undermines it totally himself. His argument turns on the so called fact that declawing says lives by preventing abandonments yet he openly admits that he has no data to support that proposition. His argument must be ignored.

He also likens ear clipping of feral cats and neutering to declawing when they are completely different both in how they affect the cat and the reasons for doing the procedures. Declawing is done for the benefit of the human while the other two procedures are done to improve the lives of cats generally. Declawing causes massive pain and can have substantial secondary detrimental effects.

Vets almost never declaw as a last resort so that totally undermines his argument also.

Mr Boks also fails to address the most profound issue namely that people who actually, in truth, don’t want to keep a cat, as a whole and complete cat, then decide to keep one. It is these people who would abandon them if declawing was banned. The answer it not to perpetuate another wrong (declawing) to rectify an earlier wrong (the keeping of cats by unsuitable people) but to ensure that only the right people keep cats or people with the right mentality keep cats. The vets are responsible in peddling the idea that modifying cats is normal, encouraging the wrong people to keep cats or teaching people the wrong attitude towards cats.

Some Comments from YouTube Viewers on Ed Books speaks for declawing cats

This bloke is talking, nay reading from a script, pure unadulterated tripe…

auntykill

-------------------------------------------------

He does NOT know what he is talking about. 9 times out of 10….

Dan5819

------------------------------------------------

I guess the legislators saw through Ed Bok’s extremely poor and ill conceived arguments. The veterinarians must be getting worried about legislation that usurps their powers of decision making. They should be. What they have done in declawing cats so wantonly and callously for so long has shown the people that they cannot be trusted to make correct decisions based solely on the cat’s health and welfare and so the public is justified in taking decision making from them through their city councils.

Ed Books speaks for declawing cats to Declawing Cats

http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/ed-boks-speaks-for-declawing-cats.html#comments

*This article was re-printed with consent from Michael.

[Video]

San Francisco Votes to Ban Cat Declawing

houseofcats — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 01:05:56 GMT

San Francisco Votes to Ban Cat Declawing

http://www.sphere.com/2009/11/03/san-francisco-votes-to-ban-cat-declawing/

11/3/09

(Nov. 3) -- By a 9-2 vote, San Francisco's Board of Supervisors passed a measure Tuesday making it a crime for pet owners to declaw their cats. Violators face a potential jail sentence of six months and fine of up to $1,000.

The Los Angeles City Council plans to vote on a similar resolution Friday.

"Declawing cats is cruel and a form of torture," said the San Francisco measure's author, Ross Mirkarimi, who represents the city's 5th District. "It has not proven to be medically necessary."

In part, Mirkarimi and his counterparts brought the matter to a vote in order to beat a Jan. 1, 2010, deadline that prohibits further cat declawing bans.

Feline onychectomy, the medical term for declawing, is already illegal in Norfolk, Va.; West Hollywood, Calif.; and 25 countries around the world, including most of Europe.

Carl Juste, Miami Herald

The San Francisco Board of Supervisors passed a measure making it a crime for pet owners to declaw their cats.

Some surprising forces opposed Mirkarimi's proposal to ban feline onychectomy, including the California Veterinary Medical Association and the San Francisco Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"We're concerned about cats ending up abandoned," said SFSPCA President Jan McHugh-Smith. "Three [million] to 4 million animals are euthanized each year in the United States, and 70 percent of them are cats."

Without the option to remove a cat's claws, McHugh-Smith fears that some owners will end up abandoning their pets. Still, the SPCA is no fan of declawing cats, and offers classes to pet owners on how to get kitties to stop scratching the furniture.

"What I like about the measure is that people are getting educated about declawing," McHugh-Smith said.

Los Angeles City Council Member Paul Koretz, who introduced a measure similar to San Francisco's, takes issue with the notion that a ban on cat declawing will translate into an increase of strays.

"The cruel irony is that nothing is further from teh truth," Koretz said. "Declawing actually leads to cats being abandoned, because it causes instant behavioral problems in cats. They stop using their litter boxes because of their pained paws so they urinate all over their owner's house. And they can no longer use their paws as a line of defense and become biters."

The California Veterinary Medical Association, a group that represents 6,100 veterinarians in the state and lobbied for the January deadline preventing further declawing measures, also argues such laws will lead to increased population of homeless cats. It also does not view declawing as inherently inhumane or cruel, and notes that recent surgical developments have reduced the pain cats experience because of the procedure.

"The decision to declaw a cat should remain between the owner in consultation with his or her veterinarian on a case-by-case basis," the group said in a written statement.

As to the worries raised by the SFSPCA that an outright ban may result in a rise of abandoned cats, Mirkarimi responded, "I don't dismiss the fears. We can always modify the law if there are unintended consequences."

The ban now heads to San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom's desk for a signature, though the 9-2 margin of the vote means that the measure would withstand a veto attempt. Look for a jump in scratching post sales.

THIS IS IT! PLEASE ACT TODAY for LOS ANGELES CATS!

houseofcats — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 04:01:45 GMT

THIS IS IT! - LOS ANGELES COUNCIL TO VOTE ON DECLAWING

URGENT - PLEASE ACT TODAY (please forward)

A vote on the Los Angeles declawing ban will take place Friday morning, Nov. 6, 2009 at City Hall (if you think you can attend the meeting, please reply to this message)

TODAY the Los Angeles City Council's Public Safety Committee voted unanimously to recommend to draft an ordinance banning the practice of declawing, saying the procedure caused “unnecessary pain, anguish and permanent disability” to cats.

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/la-council-committee-favors-law-against-declawing-cats-calling-it-animal-cruelty.html

Messages of support would be very helpful and should be sent to the Mayor Councilmembers immediately. Phone calls are also effective: every call counts as 115 votes and legislators who are undecided are tallying votes. Please write, phone, fax, or e-mail.

E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE LOS ANGELES CITY REPRESENTATIVES:

mayor@lacity.org, councilmember.reyes@lacity.org, councilmember.zine@lacity.org, councilmember.labonge@lacity.org, paul.koretz@lacity.org, councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org, councilmember.parks@lacity.org, jan.perry@lacity.org, councilmember.wesson@lacity.org, councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org, councilmember.smith@lacity.org, councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org, councilmember.huizar@lacity.org, councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

see also: http://www.pawproject.com/html/what.asp

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-978-0600
Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

Councilmember Ed Reyes
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 410
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7001
Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

Councilmember Dennis P. Zine
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 450
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7003
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

Councilmember Tom LaBonge
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 480
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7004
Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Councilmember Paul Koretz
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 440
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7005
Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: paul.koretz@lacity.org

Councilmember Tony Cardenas
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 455
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7006
Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

Councilmember Richard Alarcon
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 425
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7007
Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm)

Councilmember Bernard Parks
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 460
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7008
Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

Councilmember Jan Perry
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 420
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7009
Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

Councilmember Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 430
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7010
Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

Councilmember Bill Rosendahl
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 415
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7011
Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

Councilmember Greig Smith
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 405
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7012
Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

Councilmember Eric Garcetti
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 470
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7013
Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

Councilmember Jose Huizar
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 465
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7014
Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

Councilmember Janice Hahn
Los Angeles City Hall
200 N. Spring St. Room 435
Los Angeles, CA 90012
Phone: 213-473-7015
Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

Please indicate in your message if you are a Los Angeles resident

L.A. council committee favors law against declawing cats, calling it animal cruelty

houseofcats — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 23:08:55 GMT

L.A. council committee favors law against declawing cats, calling it animal cruelty

November 2, 2009 | 12:38 pm

A key committee of the Los Angeles City Council voted today to seek a law banning veterinarians from declawing cats, saying the procedure constituted cruelty to animals.

The council’s Public Safety Committee unanimously recommended that City Atty. Carmen Trutanich draft an ordinance banning the practice. The proposal was made by Councilmen Bill Rosendahl and Paul Koretz, who said the procedure caused “unnecessary pain, anguish and permanent disability” to cats.

“Anyone who cannot handle the claws of a cat should not have a cat to begin with,” said Rosendahl, a cat owner who represents coastal neighborhoods from Westchester to Pacific Palisades.

Cats have been an important policy issue for Koretz, who, as a lawmaker in Sacramento, tried without success to enact a statewide ban on declawing in 2003. The following year, he won passage of a bill prohibiting the declawing of exotic animals, such as lions. After joining the council in July, Koretz began using televised council meetings to find owners for cats in the city shelter system.

Councilman Tony Cardenas threw his support behind the measure but voiced doubts that the city’s Animal Services Department had enough employees to enforce such a law. He also worried that cat owners will simply go to veterinarians in neighboring cities to get the procedure, sometimes known as an onychectomy.

“I don’t want to give you false hope,” Councilman Greig Smith told the audience of cat advocates and assorted city employees. “This is not going to stop the problem.”

West Hollywood already has a ban on declawing, and Santa Monica is expected to give final approval to a similar measure next week. Malibu, Beverly Hills and San Francisco also are considering declawing bans.

In Los Angeles, the proposed declawing law would allow exceptions in cases where removing claws would address the medical needs of a cat, such as an infection or recurring illness.

During today’s hearing, animal shelter officials confirmed that they didn't have the resources to crack down on declawing. That issue did not worry Koretz, who said he believed most veterinarians would drop the practice in Los Angeles once a declawing ban was on the books.

“It’s going to be 99% self-enforcing,” he said.

-- David Zahniser at L.A. City Hall

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2009/11/la-council-committee-favors-law-against-declawing-cats-calling-it-animal-cruelty.html

Los Angeles & Beverly Hills Calls Needed: Please support a ban on declawing this week

houseofcats — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 18:05:05 GMT

Hello,

Attached is a document that has all of the contact information for two major cities that are trying to outlaw the cruel procedure known as declawing. If you would be so kind, please call all of the 15 people listed for Los Angeles and the one number listed for Beverly Hills and voice your support. Every call counts as 115 votes and at this point this is a numbers game. Legislators who are undecided are literally just tallying votes.

We need your support! Please help. We could really do this if we all stand up and are heard. You can email too if you want. Please don't wait because the vote in Los Angeles is Friday, November 6, 2009 and the vote in Beverly Hills is Thursday, November 5, 2009.

Please forward this to people who love animals. It is now or never. We are so close!

I thank you from the bottom of my heart for helping with this. We can do this if we stick together!

Jennifer Conrad, DVM

If you have trouble opening the document, please visit http://www.PawProject.org

for the contact information.

ATTACHMENT:

Votes on Declaw Bans will take place this week in Los Angeles and Beverly Hills.

Please urge the Mayors and Councilmembers to support a Ban on Declawing. Please phone and e-mail. All you need to do is inform them that you support the ban. If you have personal experience with problems from declawing, please include that. Be brief and polite and be sure to include your name and address on e-mails.

E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE LOS ANGELES REPRESENTATIVES (Easy to cut and paste)

mayor@lacity.org, councilmember.reyes@lacity.org, councilmember.zine@lacity.org, councilmember.labonge@lacity.org, paul.koretz@lacity.org, councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org, councilmember.parks@lacity.org, jan.perry@lacity.org, councilmember.wesson@lacity.org, councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org, councilmember.smith@lacity.org, councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org, councilmember.huizar@lacity.org, councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

[ To e-mail Richard Alarcón, go to: www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm ]

Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa
Phone: 213-978-0600
Fax: 213-978-0750
Email: mayor@lacity.org

Ed Reyes
Phone: 213-473-7001
Fax: 213-485-8907
Email: councilmember.reyes@lacity.org

Dennis P. Zine
Phone: 213-473-7003
Email: councilmember.zine@lacity.org

Tom LaBonge
Phone: 213-473-7004
Fax: 213-624-7810
Email: councilmember.labonge@lacity.org

Paul Koretz
Phone: 213-473-7005
Fax: 213-978-2250
Email: paul.koretz@lacity.org

Tony Cárdenas
Phone: 213-473-7006
Fax: 213-847-0549
Email: councilmember.cardenas@lacity.org

Richard Alarcón
Phone: 213-473-7007
Fax: 213-847-0707
Email: (use contact form at www.lacity.org/council/cd7/contact.htm )

Bernard Parks
Phone: 213-473-7008
Fax: 213-485-7683
Email: councilmember.parks@lacity.org

Jan Perry
Phone: 213-473-7009
Fax: 213-473-5946
Email: jan.perry@lacity.org

Herb J. Wesson, Jr.
Phone: 213-473-7010
Fax: 213-485-9829
Email: councilmember.wesson@lacity.org

Bill Rosendahl
Phone: 213-473-7011
Fax: 213-473-6926
Email: councilmember.rosendahl@lacity.org

Greig Smith
Phone: 213-473-7012
Fax: 213-473-6925
Email: councilmember.smith@lacity.org

Eric Garcetti
Phone: 213-473-7013
Fax: 213-613-0819
Email: councilmember.garcetti@lacity.org

José Huizar
Phone: 213-473-7014
Fax: 213-847-0680
Email: councilmember.huizar@lacity.org

Janice Hahn
Phone: 213-473-7015
Fax: 213-626-5431
Email: councilmember.hahn@lacity.org

E-MAIL ADDRESSES FOR THE BEVERLY HILLS CITY MAYOR and COUNCIL MEMBERS:

nkrasne@beverlyhills.org, jdelshad@beverlyhills.org, bbrucker@beverlyhills.org, wbrien@beverlyhills.org, jmirisch@beverlyhills.org

Please note that all Councilmembers have the same phone number: Telephone: (310) 285-1000

If your e-mails bounce back, send e-mails to cityclerkoffice@beverlyhills.org

Mayor Nancy Krasne nkrasne@beverlyhills.org

Vice Mayor Jimmy Delshad jdelshad@beverlyhills.org

Councilmember Barry Brucker bbrucker@beverlyhills.org

Councilmember William W. Brien, MD wbrien@beverlyhills.org

Councilmember John A. Mirisch jmirisch@beverlyhills.org

A Physical Therapists Perspective

houseofcats — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 17:21:56 GMT

http://www.pictures-of-cats.org/declawing-a-physical-therapist-assistants-perspective.html

Re: Read, act and forward to stop devocalization of dogs and cats

houseofcats — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:28:37 GMT

From: Kinship Circle <info@kinshipcircle.org>
To: 15) KINSHIP CIRCLE PRIMARY [unknown location] <info@kinshipcircle.org>
Sent: Tue, Oct 27, 2009 3:11 pm
Subject: Help Pass Landmark Devocalization Ban [Friends of Kinship Circle]

*   FRIENDS OF KINSHIP CIRCLE, http://friendsofkinshipcircle.wordpress.com
*   KINSHIP CIRCLE DOES NOT WRITE OR RESEARCH THESE ALERTS.
*   QUESTIONS? CONTACT ALERT WRITER.

10/27/09: Everyone - Help Pass Landmark Devocalization Ban
ALERT WRITER: Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, CPRPets@aol.com

BACKGROUND: The Massachusetts legislature is considering a bill to ban
devocalization -- cutting a dog or cat's vocal cords to suppress his voice.
This convenience surgery renders the animal mute, chronically hoarse, wheezy
or shrill. Long-term risks include breathing problems, persistent gagging
and coughing, difficulty swallowing or even death, regardless of the
veterinarian's skill or how vocal cords are cut (through the oral cavity or
a neck incision). Because tissue regrowth is common, the animal may be
subjected to the pain, stress and repeated surgeries.

Devocalized dogs and cats don't benefit at all; they are abandoned just like
any other companion or breeding animal. Still, devocalization is more common
than most people think. In fact, some breeders devocalize routinely, to run
their businesses without complaints from neighbors or because they don't
want to hear their own animals. Dogs tend to bark more when kept in groups.

Stella was devocalized, then dumped by an AKC breeder. Her adopter spent
$1,500+ to correct scar tissue that obstructed 50% of Stella's airway.

An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, H. 344 would ban devocalization in
Massachusetts. The bill is sponsored by Coalition to Protect and Rescue
Pets, an unfunded, volunteer network of animal caretakers and compassionate
people. It is endorsed by the Humane Society Veterinary Medical Assn., more
than 200 Massachusetts vets, and many animal shelters statewide.

However, powerful lobbies that profit from devocalization want to kill the
bill: Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Assn., the American Kennel
Club-affiliated Mass. Federation of Dog Clubs...and others. Without your
voice, animals will continue to be robbed of theirs.

Devocalized dogs, their rescuers: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hZPoyuMw870
Experts on devocalization: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W4ADbMoX4aw

Over 12 years, Phoebe has regained much of her bark, but still gags
persistently. Only 1-1/2, Fritz sounds like "he's chain-smoked unfiltered
cigarettes." He rarely even tries to bark anymore.

TAKE ACTION - WHEREVER YOU LIVE:
Please MAIL a letter to the House Speaker of the Massachusetts legislature.
Emails are not very effective...and could negatively influence the bill's
passage. Key point: Massachusetts should exercise the leadership to ban an
inhumane, unethical practice that the global community frowns upon.

TO MAIL A LETTER:

SELECT THE SAMPLE LETTER TEXT BELOW & COPY IT.
PASTE text into a word processing program like Microsoft Word.**
Change some words and add your own feelings.
Sign the letter with your name/address/country.
Print the letter from your computer, fold it into a stamped envelope and send to:

House Speaker Robert DeLeo
State House, Room 356
Boston, MA 02133

**ASK FOR A FORMATTED LETTER TO PRINT (WORD DOC): info@kinshipcircle.org

SAMPLE LETTER BY: Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets
(Kinship Circle did not write this)

Dear Speaker DeLeo:

I urge your full support for An Act Prohibiting Devocalization, H.344. I
hope you will ensure it becomes law soon, without amendments that enable
this barbaric practice to continue.

Plainly, it is cruel and unethical to cut a dog or cat's vocal cords to
suppress his voice. The UK already bans devocalization. The United States
should not tolerate this mutilating surgery.

Devocalized dogs and cats don't benefit at all; they are abandoned just like
any other companion or breeding animal. Irrespective of a vet's experience
or how vocal cords are cut, the surgery poses risks from massive infection
to aspiration pneumonia, difficulty swallowing and even death.

Tissue re-growth is common, subjecting animals to stress, pain and repeat
surgeries. Caretakers unable to pay ongoing costs further jeopardize animals
with surrender or euthanasia.

I speak for many worldwide in saying we hope Massachusetts leads the way
toward humane, responsible care of animals by prohibiting devocalization.

Respectfully,
Name and address (including country)

=================================================================
Take Meaningful Action, Quickly

Go to any link below and click EMAIL THIS LETTER, beneath the sample letter.
A ready-to-send message opens in the email software on your computer.
Sign letter (personalize words if you have time) and hit send.

10/20/09: Two Dogs Shot At Point Blank Range In New York
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID67&seriesfirst=true

10/13/09: Get Serial Cat Killer Off New York Streets
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID65&seriesfirst=true

10/10/09: Cop Shoots Deaf, 19-Year-Old Family Cat
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID63&seriesfirst=true

9/28/09: Release Cancun Tigers From Misery
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID61&seriesfirst=true

9/15/09: Freedom Interrupted - Cloud's Herd Caught In BLM Roundup
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID58&seriesfirst=true

9/11/09: Mutilated Sharks - Fin Soup's Main Ingredient
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID56&seriesfirst=true

9/5/09: Save Gray Wolves So We Can Slaughter Them?
http://www.kinshipcircle.org/letter_library/letter_new.asp?LetterID54&seriesfirst=true

=================================================================
Help Kinship Circle win $50,000!
Thank you for caring...

PLEASE DONATE TODAY (try either link):
https://www.causes.com/fb/donations/new?cause_id"6645
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HERE IS HOW KINSHIP CIRCLE CAN WIN AMERICA'S GIVING CHALLENGE:
*   From now till Nov. 7, 2009, we have to get the most donations to our cause
    (each person can donate once daily and it counts as a unique donation).
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     people to donate in any 24-hour period.

The great thing about this Challenge is that even the minimum donation of
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YOU CAN DONATE RIGHT NOW (try either link):
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PLEASE KEEP KINSHIP CIRCLE IN MIND FOR YOUR YEAR-END GIVING!
If you prefer to bypass this contest, you may make a tax-deductible
contribution to Kinship Circle here: http://www.kinshipcircle.org/donation/

Thank you for supporting Kinship Circle's work for animals,
Beverly Nation, Kinship Circle Social Media Director

KINSHIP CIRCLE
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SUBSCRIBE NOW - FOR BREAKING NEWS & ACTION:
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DISCLAIMER: The information in these alerts is verified with the original
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URGENT: LA Declaw Hearing, Monday November 2

houseofcats — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 14:20:59 GMT

URGENT - PLEASE FORWARD

WE WIN IN SANTA MONICA!!

houseofcats — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 20:38:20 GMT

The Santa Monica Declaw Ban passed last night 6-1. (There is a second reading, but unless something very odd happens, it will become law).

All seven Councilmembers spoke out against declawing for owner convenience and against "packaging" declaw surgery with spaying and neutering.

Proposed bans in LA, SF, Beverly Hills, and Berkeley are coming up soon for consideration.

To help support, go to:

http://www.pawproject.com/html/what.asp

Three non-local CVMA vets and two other persons testified against the ban.

About 40 people showed up to support the ban, including five or six local, CVMA-member vets and a representative of HSVMA. Over 20 people testified in favor of a ban.

Thanks,

The Paw Project

Rule Britannia!

babz — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 18:04:49 GMT

I often grumble about my country of birth. England to put it bluntly has gone to the dogs. Morals have completely disappeared, most of our traditions are now politically incorrect, including Christmas and Easter, the Labour government is being pilloried, the Countryside Alliance have infiltrated the Conservative Party and are baying for the hunting ban to be repealed while MP’s are living high off the hog using taxpayers money to clean their moats and buy chandeliers, champagne and light bulbs. I know that cruelty is at an all time high and that dreadful things are happening everyday to humans and animals alike.

But this morning it dawned on me, you know what? For all that, I’m bloody proud to be English! And the reason is that there are some bog standard, run of the mill, everyday people who are absolutely, wonderfully and genuinely kind and who love their animals just the way they are.

I was browsing an English cat lover’s forum and came across a question from someone who’s cat keeps insisting on scratching the wallpaper off, and I believe when they said off they mean just that, the wallpaper is gone, removed, shredded and merely tatters remain. Full of trepidation I looked at the replies, I say that because as readers may know I frequent Yahoo Answers Cats section quite a lot and on there a question like this would receive numerous answers from those over the pond in the USA, I then decided to compare English answers and USA answers to this type of question.

So I did a bit of a search for a similar question on Y/A USA, and these are some of the suggestions to similar problems. OK here we go, the least offensive is of course trim the claws down, no problem with that if the cat is happy to sit and have the claws clipped without panicking, if that solves the problem then sighs of relief all round. Then there are the dreaded soft paws, now I shouldn't criticize this weird invention because I know that their use has saved many a cat from being declawed but somehow I still don’t like the thought of sticking rubber caps onto cats claws. For a start do they not stop the claws from retracting into the sheaths? I would imagine they’d feel pretty uncomfortable in that case and think that’s probably one of the reasons why cats chew them off as quickly as possible, plus the thought of a cat with pink/blue/ yellow caps on it’s claws “looking cute” seems a bit sad and undignified for such beautiful creatures. And when they chew them off do they not run the risk of making their toes sore or even swallowing them? Could they get lodged in their intestines I wonder?
Then there is often sticky paper suggested, this must be something like the glue traps that small creatures get stuck on and perish. I wouldn’t like to think I’d deliberately made one of my cats get his paws stuck and have to drag them off the sticky paper risking sore pads or twisted “ankles”. One suggestion was “sticky tape and shouting” whereas another of just using masking tape seemed kinder and more reasonable to me. There was a suggestion to put chilli pepper in the area – hmm what about the cat’s delicate nose and eyes then? There was one suggestion to take a tin and fill it with pebbles and shake it to “frighten” the cat away (But away from what? From the owner I’d say). Get a balloon, blow it up and squeak it at the cat, get a Doberman (Get a Doberman? How helpful is that? Would another breed not work as well I wonder?) Get a water pistol and squirt it at the cat when it claws, and here there were a variety of suggestions as to what to put in it, there was lemon juice, vinegar, chilli pepper (yes again) in water and all sorts of horrible liquids, and plain water of course. And then in the end it came, the answer I’d been waiting for “Declawing it is your best solution”.

Everything there was doing something to the cat, shout at it, frighten it, wet it, make it’s eyes sting or alter it’s paws in some way, from merely trimming the claws to sticking things on them or going all the way and amputating the offending claws along with the toes they were joined to.

So, going back to the English board here are some comments in reply to the person who asked what they could do about their cat scratching the wallpaper to kingdom come. Someone said exclude it from the room, someone else said get a scratching post and point the cat at it and give it treats when it uses it, and someone else recommended a spray from Kleeneze that smells of lemon to spray on the wallpaper (not the cat) but my favourites, and I can’t really choose from them because I love them all are: One, surprisingly from a man is “Take the wallpaper off and paint the wall”, I just love the logic and simplicity of that, remove the problem by removing the paper. Two is ”Mine scratch more when their claws are clipped to sharpen them again, but they also scratch when they need clipping and in between as well - nothing works but I still love them. And three is a beauty – “Nothing on this planet will stop our beautiful feline friends doing what they want”

See what I mean? What a difference in attitude. On the one hand it’s all about “punishment” and the other it is all about tolerance.

That’s why I’m proud to be English today.

Re: Declawing dogs = 4 Paw De-clawed Pitbull DOG

houseofcats — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 20:10:58 GMT

Thanks for your post kattaddorra. Yes, it's disgusting that cats are second rate, second class animal citizens here in America. No big deal to cripple a cat for life, but God forbid a dog! Well, people will be shocked to find that most veterinarians are NOT "too ethical" to de-claw a dog - they will "de" anything the "owner" (I refuse to use the word "parent", "gaurdian", or "family" here because those are warm terms that indicate people who care about animals. "Owners" or people who possess & don't respect their pets, de-claw their pets) asks them to - rabbits, ferrets, raccoons, iguanas, dogs, and of course, most routinely, cats in our country.

Recently a google alert came up about a relinquished 4 PAW DE-CLAWED PITTBULL DOG, disposed of because his "owner" didn't like the sound his claws made when he walked (another case of de-knuckling NOT keeping the animal in its home). So, yes, VETS DE-CLAW DOGS!

Both the "owner" of this disabled dog mentioned above, and the veterinarian who maimed him should be prosecuted for ANIMAL CRUELTY. Just like every "owner" and vet who maims cats for life. This is ANIMAL CRUELTY, plain & simple, happening everyday, all day long in our vet offices. Why aren't more people outraged & speaking up about this?

Where are the national campaigns from the animal welfare orgs about natural pet behaviors, how to train companion animals, and what "de-claw" really means? And who are these people/rescuers/breeders adopting our pets to "owners" that haul them off to the vet (whose only true interest is making money) to have some or all of their paws mutilated because they are too lazy to trim nails or understand that animals have physical & mental needs, desires, sounds, smells, & emotions? These are NOT "good homes"!

I'm ashamed to be an American when he comes to how rampantly, casually, & routinely these convenience surgeries are pandered & inflicted on our companion animals. Absolutely HORRIFYING!

"Pit bull's injuries raise false alarm
Journal and Courier - Lafayette,IN,USA
One pit bull currently available for adoption had all four paws declawed because its former owner didn't like the sound it made walking, Alcorn said. ..."

Steer clear of Marty

babz — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 17:10:25 GMT

Hells teeth! This bloke takes a bit of beating. On that stinking horrible site that demonstrates the instrument of torture known as Clearview Laser Declaw Assistant there are two testimonials. One is from a Dr Cohen from Cincinnati who gushes "The time and effort saved using the Clear View laser declaw assistant make it a valuable tool."
And the other is from a Dr Martin Losey from Winter Haven, Florida who says "Allowed us to free up a technician during the procedure, who was no longer needed to hold the leg". Oh yeah the leg is held up for him to do his dirty deed by the horrible wooden frame with the hook embedded in it. The technician can use the time saved to prepare the next victim for the conveyor belt declawing procedure, the quicker the better, he’s got to make the money back for his equipment.
But from three comments on this site which invites reviews of animal hospitals in Winter Haven it seems that Dr Losey is to be avoided at all costs.
The first review is entitled THINK ABOUT THIS VET BEFORE YOU GO THERE and says “If you use this vet you really need to reconsider if YOU LOVE YOUR DOG OR CAT, he really is not a good vet, he tried to do a un-necessary surgery on my dog that he was just guessing at and never did the proper lab work to find out what was wrong. I DO NOT AND REALLY MEAN DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS IDIOT TO ANYONE.” Posted 06/10/09 This person gave him a rating of 1 out of 5, there wasn’t an option to give zero or I think he’d have got it from her.

The second review is titled “Heard bad things too” and says “I have always heard bad things about this place and also I heard that the wife is not very nice at all, matter of fact I overheard a young girl that works there talking about how much she can't stand her and that she is very hard to work for, I am so glad I never went there after reading this” Posted 06/10/09 this was a 1 out of 5 too.
The third comment is this “Thank you for your review I'm sorry to hear about your dog, but I'm glad I'm not the only one with problems with this so called vet, I had my dog in there just for normal shots and was told that his prostrate was enlarged and he needed to be neutered right away or he would get cancer, I took him to a real vet and was told that his prostrate was NORMAL in size and the dog was ok. That man should not be practicing any more. I have heard sssoooo many things bad about them now I know, I would never recommend him to anyone!!!!” Posted 06/13/09 again 1 out of 5 for the rating.

Now isn’t it a horrible thought that someone who has attracted such bad comments, particularly the first and last ones, is performing declawing procedures on cats, probably every day.

This is what he says about himself: “I treat all my clients' pets like "fur" children. Many owners children have grown up and moved away leaving the pet behind for the parents to care for them.” and he says this around the time of his 30-year in practice party “Veterinary medicine has always been my love..It never gets boring.”

Correct me if if I’m wrong but I really don’t think this chap would amputate the finger and toes ends of children, and I’m damned if I think their Grannies and Grandads would allow it either! So what’s all this guff about fur children, and if he’s been in practice for over 30 years then he should sod off and retire and take his Clearview Laser Assistant with him, oh yes I just bet he DOES love the dosh he makes, and the new and more gruesome apparatus he gets to aid himself will provide endless entertainment for his savage habits.
Here’s the blurb about him
Dr. J. Martin Losey II DVM opened Losey Animal Hospital in 1977, after attending the Ohio State University College of Veterinary Medine. Our primary interest is in small animal medicine and surgery. We have a well equipped lab for fast,easy results; a cutting and therapy laser for stifle/knee surgery which aids in faster recovery of your pet. Laser surgery makes declaws, neuters and spays faster, bloodless and less painfull for your pets. Losey Animal hospital has always been on the cutting edge of medicine for your pets ,as well as giving family like quality to our clients. We recently celebrated our 32nd anniversery of excellant pet care. My staff and myself would be pleased to care for your furry friends.

There he goes, “laser surgery makes declaws (neuters an spays) faster, bloodless and less painful.” LESS painful…why should they be in pain at all? They should never even be in the theatre having their toes amputated. And the final sentence “my staff and myself would be pleased to care for your furry friends” is just creepy, it makes me think of a pantomime undertaker standing smiling and rubbing his hands together while sizing you up for a coffin. He can’t spell excellent either!

Here’s his list of “services” I use the word services very loosely. And I think those three reviewers would agree.
Small Animals
Boarding
Surgery
Spay / Neuter
Declaw
Euthanasia
Microchip
Dentistry
Ultrasound
Laser Surgery
On-Site Pharmacy
Flea Control Program
Dietary Counseling
Behavioral Counseling
On-Site Lab

It's to stop people using pimps like HIM that declawing must be banned! And here is the petition