I'm still feeling nauseous and angry.
I just got the following from the American Veterinary Medical Association's website:
"Scientific data do indicate that cats that have destructive scratching behavior are more likely to be euthanatized [sic], or more readily relinquished, released, or abandoned, thereby contributing to the homeless cat population. [Bullshit.-Ed.] Where scratching behavior is an issue as to whether or not a particular cat can remain as an acceptable household pet in a particular home, surgical onychectomy may be considered.
"There is no scientific evidence that declawing leads to behavioral abnormalities when the behavior of declawed cats is compared with that of cats in control groups." [Bullshit. Again. -Ed.]
Yes, one of the main medical groups for veterinarians in the US still insists on declawing as an option for cat persons. Yes, on their website, the AVMA lists alternatives to this mutilating, medically unnecessary procedure, such as claw caps, ready access to scratching posts, etc.
But the AVMA continues to refuse to call cat declawing what it really is: animal cruelty.
Declawing isn't "just" the removal of claws. Declawing is amputation.
"But why would the AVMA say such things?" you might ask. To which I'd reply: follow the money.
Visit The Paw Project and watch the film on what the TPP is all about.
If you're a cat person and you've considered declawing but haven't learned what's really involved in this procedure, get thee hence and research. If, after doing so, you still think declawing is ethical, then you have no business having a cat in your residence.
Look at it this way: human doctors don't cut off the end digits on the hands of patients who have itching problems.
Pay attention: a cat is higher in overall worth to any piece of furniture. If you think having a cat would be nice, get a toy stuffed animal cat instead.
If you'd never do such a thing to your kittehs, please consider donating to TPP or spreading the message in your area. Ask your vet if they do declawing. If the answer's yes, you might wanna find a vet that doesn't.
