HOME > ADOPTION > CAT ADOPTION

The Truth about Declawing Cats

Declawing is an elective surgery cat owners sometimes choose to have done to prevent their pet from scratching furniture, curtains, other pets, and people. Declawing is a controversial procedure. Some people feel it is inhumane. Many veterinarians will always counsel the pet owners in alternatives to declaw surgery, while other veterinarians simply won't do the surgery except in cases of medical necessity.

A cat's remarkable grace, agility, and sense of balance are in part due to its claws, which allow it to establish footing for walking, running, springing, climbing or stretching. A cat's claws are also its best defense in the outdoors.                       *Click to enlarge*

What Declawing really is...

The Standard procedure calls for the removal of the claw including the germinal (epithelium) cells responsible for its growth, and part or all of the third phalanx (terminal bone) of the toe. The operation is usually performed on the front feet, and is actually an amputation comparable to the removal of human fingertips at the first knuckle. The cat experiences pain in the recovery and healing process.

Alternatives to Declawing

Try a scratching post, soft paws, sticky paws, regular nail trims, or a quick squirt from a water bottle to let your cat know when it has made a wrong choice between your furniture and his scratching post. Call the shelter for more information on any of these alternate options.

Save a Paw - Don't Declaw!

Choose from one of our already declawed cats

*Declawed cats will be posted when they become available. Check back periodically!*

Click picture to enlarge