Parker may have a new home!!

[moosmom]

I got a call from a woman who lives in Ohio. She saw Parker's picture on petfinder.com and fell in love with her.

She lost one of her cats a month ago and wants to find a companion for her male cat.

The one thing that disturbs me is she wants to declaw Parker!!

I tried very nicely to explain to her about declawing and how I wasn't sure if PurrsAbound would allow her to adopt Parker under those circumstances. She said that her male is declawed and that she had it done when he was a kitten, so he wouldn't tear up her new house. I told her that kittens are very easily trainable to not scratch the furniture.

DUMB RESPONSE #1: "Well, I worked!! I didn't have the TIME to train him! Besides, he was chewing on electrical cords. That's unusual for a cat. Dogs I can understand. But a cat???"

I emailed PurrsAbound and told them about this lady. Parker still has a couple of obstacles to overcome. She is a nipper. She sometimes gives "love bites". If she bites too hard, I correct her. I know that if this lady declaws her, Parker will resort to biting and drawing blood, as the only defense she has. As a result, she may wind up in another shelter. That's the last thing I want for this poor girl. She's been through enough already.

Another thing I'm concerned about is her getting along with other cats. I've had the baby gates up in the doorway for a little over a week now. MooShoo is hell bent on getting at her. He puts his front leg through the bars to try and get her and she spits and hisses at him. His legs have some scratches on them. She got along with Pudding while she was here. But MooShoo actually BITES the gate trying to get at her. I'm afraid to even let her out yet, although I know it's still too soon.

What you guys think??? I know a home is a home. But I've seen what declawing can do. The last meezer I had was declawed and she had MAJOR issues (she was the one who cornered me in the room!!) They named HER Sybil.

I'd appreciate any feedback you guys can give me.

[CalliesMom]

Please, Donna don't let this lady adopt her. If she is more concerned about her furniture than the health of her cat, she does not deserve Parker.

[Grace]

Before I knew better, I had several cats declawed - so that by itself wouldn't bother me.

But her attitude does bother me . . . .

Well, I worked!! I didn't have the TIME to train him!

I think she wants her for the wrong reasons.

If you can avoid it - do not place Parker with this b!tch.

[RedHedd]

Originally posted by CalliesMom
Please, Donna don't let this lady adopt her. If she is more concerned about her furniture than the health of her cat, she does not deserve Parker.

Ditto.

Most rescue shelters and people I know who do rescue work here in CA plain, flat-out will not adopt cats to people who say they will declaw. In fact there's a standard clause in most adoption papers that the adoptive purrents must sign that states they will not declaw the animal. I know, I know, people lie and say they won't, but the fact that this lady came right out and said she would .... I'd say no go. Parker deserves a better home and purrents who love her more than their danged furniture

[kittycats_delight]

Originally posted by CalliesMom
Please, Donna don't let this lady adopt her. If she is more concerned about her furniture than the health of her cat, she does not deserve Parker.

Ditto !!!! Donna please please please. You didn't go through rescuing Parker to have someone like this take her. Parker is a gorgeous and sweet girl she needs the right home. Not one that is right now. We all want what is best for Parker and a forever home where she is loved and treated like a part of the family not a possession is the right home. Please don't let this lady take Parker.

[shais_mom]

NO
in a nutshell.
You have never adopted to someone who declaws before. Go with your gut instinct.

[krazyaboutkatz]

I also say no, please don't let this woman adopt Parker. It sounds like Parker may need to be an only cat any way.

[QueenScoopalot]

Ditto on the "NO"! If Parker is already nipping, chances are she'll resort to full scale biting after. I'd tell the woman nicely that you have a home for her, but if it falls through, you'll contact her. This avoids the woman getting all huffy and having one of her friends call and inquire about Parker. Some people lie to get what they want.

[orangemm]

Please don't let this person adopt Parker. Anyone with that kind of attitude shouldn't have her. I'm sure she could find another adoptee who has already been (sadly) declawed.

[furrykidsmother]

Noooo!!! Please don't let this woman adopt Parker. I agree with everyone, not only the declawing, but her attitude is lousy too! Parker deserves better than that.

[cruisetime]

It sounds like you are working well with PArker and she is responding to you. If you put her in a home where the lady will obviously not take the time for PArker she may resort back the way she was. Also she will need time with the new cat and obviously the woman will not give that either.

As far as declawing - my Meka was violent after we got her from Animal COntrol - blood just dripping down my hubby's arm when she out of the blue grabbed on with claws and teeth. We are lucky she is a small cat. Anyway we still didn't declaw her. We are working with her and she is showing a lot of promise but it is slow go since October. I still have not declawed her nor intend too. As a last last last resort we have thought about it but time is showing a lot of improvement so I dont' think it will be necessary. I called the vet about it and she said it is very painful for an older cat (over 1 year old) and you have to keep them from jumping for two weeks - yah right with mine - she is all over the place. So this lady wanting to declaw right away a cat that is over a year is not a good sign at all. Parker's forever home is out there but if you give her to this lady she will not find her forever home..... I vote NO No No!!!! Debbie

[Maya & Inka's mommy]

Do NOT give Parker to her!!! He deserves a good loving home. I would tell that lady to get lost!!

[ramanth]

Those are valid concerns and I must say Parker has NOT found a home.

I'm sure she'll find a loving home soon, but not with this lady.

[catmandu]

THE WRONG HOME,IS WORSE,THAN NO HOME,AS THIS LADY,IS NOT A CAT PERSON,AND SHE,WILL ONLY TRUMATIZE PARKER,BY YELLING AT HIM.BESIDES ,I KNOW,THAT NOONE,WILL ALLOW THE ADOPTED CAT,TO BE DECLAWED,I HAVE IT,IN THE CONTRACT,WHEN I ADOPTED SCRAPPY 2,THAT I AM FORBIDDEN,TO DECLAW,NOT THAT I WOULD,EVER DO THAT,TO A CAT.

THATS RIGHT,IF WE ARE DECLAWED,WE CAME,THAT WAY.

[Randi]

Donna, most people who declaw their cats are ignorant about the consequences, but this woman sounds like she doesn't really care whether it will be painful to the cat, all she cares about is her furniture. If you can talk to her and perhaps show her a few articles about declawing, she may be enlightened and change her mind. However, you'll not feel sure, what ever she says now, will you? If you let her have Parker, you'll be wondering for a long time, has she declawed her or not. I don't think you should let her have Parker, unless you feel totally sure she won't do it.

Next time you have a cat up for adoption on Petfinder, will it be possible to require (demand) that the cat goes to a home who doesn't declaw?