A not so nice thing about my new job

[NoahsMommy]

Well, I seem to be the minority at work when it comes to declawing cats.

I kind of tested the waters with my boss, asking about her cats, and then asking about if the vet sold Soft Paws. She said, "No, our clients get mad when they come off. Its just a temporary solution." ( ) I went on and did my commercial for Soft Paws, but I really didn't have an audience.

Today, there were two orangies in for a declaw. All wrapped up in bandages cause they were bleeding. (They use the laser version, but still...its still declawing!!!)

I was sitting there doing something, when a man came out of a exam room and asked to use the phone to call his wife. I dialed the number for him and overheard his conversation asking his wife if she wanted the cats declawed ("We can leave them now and pick them up in two days, honey!"). I could tell she wasn't so hot on the idea, but he kept saying things that the vet had told him ( ) ... "The vet here says he wouldn't have a cat that wasn't declawed." "The vet here says he's NEVER seen a cat with any sort of behavioral problems due to a declaw.".... Yea right!!! Never explored that route, I'd imagine!!!!

Basically, they left the two kittens (abour 6 months old) and they'll be going under the knife tomorrow.

I couldn't do anything. The first thing my boss told me is that we are NOT allowed to give our advice or opinion to anyone.

I let something slip when he said something like, "No, I'm Tom, the cat's name is Pete." and I said, "Oh, you mean you don't want to get your claws ripped out?" I didn't mean to say it, and I really hope he wont tell on me. I need this job.

I was sick to my stomach the rest of the day. I'll have to deal with this, I guess. I just needed to vent here, to those that understand.

Thanks for listening.

[Fuzzy317]

I sorry you are having to deal with that at work. I hope you will be able to work there, knowing the vets opinion on declawing

Using scratching posts and clipping the nails make declawing totally wrong.

[bisi.cat]

I can feel your ANGER and I share your ANGER!!!

This is so very sad, because it's the vet who should show responsibility to the cats...I am strictly against declawing and I'm glad that it's illegeal here!!!

Maybe he's the kind of vet who just sees $$ when it comes to declawing...I guess there's really no way to convince him and his indication to not try to tell the people any objections against it on your side just makes it clear: it's a cash thing...GROAN!!!

I know I would go frantic there...I think you should stay there (because you need a job) and try to find another job soon at a responsible vet if possible!!!

Oh this is such a sad and bad situation for you, but maybe you could suggest "Soft Paws" as an option to people who are uncertain...

Paws (with claws!!!) and fingers crossed here!!!

OOOhhhh I am soooooo angrey and sad...

[NoahsMommy]

It seems like I'm a huge minority where we live. Out of three vets (this job included) all three happily declaw.

I guess its the "norm" around here.

I wonder if I could do anything about educating people and still keep my job????

[bisi.cat]

I know you have to do something about it, because otherwise you'll never feel happy at that place and with every declawed cat it would feel like a little piece of your heart and confidence are dying...
I think I've read in another post that you use "soft paws" on your furkids and maybe that could be the way to educate the people and the vet, because you are living proof how nicely this works!!!

I've often witnessed that people who are unsure already ask the staff at the vet's for their opinion and so you could just add "Happy cats have their claws or "Soft Paws"!"...
I think it wouldn't work for your vet to show him anything about the cruelty of declawing, because he sees this mess each day and he even makes money with it!!!

Best thing would be to achieve to ban "declawing" nationwide...it's already illegeal in most parts of the world!!!

I am sorry to not know any further suggestions, but I know a brave heart knowing to do the right thing is very powerful...be cautious (not to loose your job), but live according to what your heart tells you!!!

Wishing you all the best,
Sabine and Nellie

[aly]

Oh geez. I don't think I could have controlled my mouth as well as you Kelly. I may have asked the vet if she would like me to amputate HER fingers

The vet I go to for my animals is the only vet in my city that will not declaw under any circumstances. There are some others who only declaw if everything else has been tried. But I think a majority of the vet offices here don't have too much of a problem with the surgery. I think its disgusting and needs to change. Sometimes vets can be .... idiots, to put it mildly.

I hope you are able to find the strength to deal with this. Thats just awful

[Kona & Oreo's mom]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
"The vet here says he wouldn't have a cat that wasn't declawed." "The vet here says he's NEVER seen a cat with any sort of behavioral problems due to a declaw."...

The first thing my boss told me is that we are NOT allowed to give our advice or opinion to anyone.

It sounds like the vet gave his biased opinon, despite telling you not to share yours. How maddening.

I agree with bisi.cat--if you're not allowed to express the horrors of declawing, express your positive experiences with soft paws as an alternative. That way, you will be seen as contributing a positive outlook to the work environment.

[catland]

I'd recommend that you begin looking for another job. I think that it is just going to break your heart a little more each time you see another cat getting declawed.

I'm so sorry you are having to go through this.

[gini]

Oh Kelly, I feel for you. Sometimes I wonder if it isn't just about money - more surgery - more money.

I don't think that I like the vet you work for at all.

I have friends who have declawed their cats and both of them will bite so hard. They always say, "oh, they don't mean anything by doing that" - yeah, right as you sit there with your hand bleeding all over everything.

[Randi]

Originally posted by bisi.cat
I can feel your ANGER and I share your ANGER!!!

This is so very sad, because it's the vet who should show responsibility to the cats...I am strictly against declawing and I'm glad that it's illegeal here!!!

I know I would go frantic there...I think you should stay there (because you need a job) and try to find another job soon at a responsible vet if possible!!!

Oh this is such a sad and bad situation for you, but maybe you could suggest "Soft Paws" as an option to people who are uncertain...

Paws (with claws!!!) and fingers crossed here!!!

I couldn't have said it better!!

Kelly, how about printing out some info about declawing and put it up in malls, shops, schools, everywhere!! And use the vet's paper for it!!

[Russian Blue]

Originally posted by NoahsMommy
I wonder if I could do anything about educating people and still keep my job????

What does the vet do when people bring in kittens? Is there a new kitten help package given out to new owners? When I brought Nakita in the first time to my vet, I was given a package and it gave different info on health issues and articles.

If your vet gives something like this, you could find some articles that discuss options to declawing so that new owners are presented with ALL the options rather than just the declaw option. If your vet doesn't have a package like this maybe you could suggest one. In this way you can educate people, but don't come across as a 'Crazy cat lady'.

My heart goes out to you on this issue Kelly. It is horrible when no option except declaw is given by the vet. It's such a terrible situation to be in when you know that owners aren't educated and you can't say anything about the subject.

Though, every job has pros and cons. You just have to decide whether the pros outweigh the cons with this job.

Hang in there.

[sasvermont]

First of all, I am not for declawing. I have had cats declawed in the past and do not regret it. I would not do it again, as I never knew how easy it is to train them to a scratching post. I have learned to clip their nails too.

I know that by now, half or more of you are ticked off just reading this. Let me tell you how I feel......

I could think of a lot worse of things to do to a cat. My cats (two) that we declawed, lived to be 21 and 18. I had them fully vetted. They were fine. I never had a behavior issue. All that said, I think I was so under educated about cats and their claws, that I did not see an alternative.

Education, education, education.

Kelly, I suspect you need to put this issue at the top of your interview list when going for your next position with a Vet or clinic. I suspect the Vets make a fair amount of money declawing cats, although it must vary from state to state, and place to place.

When I took Miley into the emergency vet when Ti had whipped her butt, there was a lady picking up her newly declawed kitty and I was so sad for the cat. The tech at the desk was totally comfortable with the entire process and in fact, was encouraging it and the process. It made me want to say something. I didn't. As I said, I could think of a lot worse of things to do to a cat.

My two deceased cats, were really loved, pampered, vetted, fed - you name it. I just didn't know. There is no excuse for ignorance, and so Kelly, if you really object to declawing, start to educate the Vet and the staff. If you get another job soon, you may want to take a lead on the topic..... run "how to clip" clinic or something.

I feel your pain, but don't be too harsh on those of us who just didn't know and don't know how to resolve the scratching problems with their cats.

I love cats. I am better educated now...about them....that is....but I still have much to learn. May people have much to learn.

Sas

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by sasvermont
I feel your pain, but don't be too harsh on those of us who just didn't know and don't know how to resolve the scratching problems with their cats.

In my time here at PT, I've never, ever condemned ANYONE for declawing a cat because they didn't understand the alternatives or what it entailed. I sincerely hope that you don't feel I've ever done that to you or anyone....because its simply not true.

[sasvermont]

Kelly, I didn't mean that you, you Kelly, were being harsh...but when I read....."I was sick to my stomach the rest of the day. I'll have to deal with this, I guess. I just needed to vent here, to those that understand."...... It certainly would lead me to believe that folks who have their cats declawed, make you sick!

You need to find a job where you can take a stand, if it upsets you so. You have to do what makes you happy. I could not work for a vet that declawed. Not now. But that is me.

Did I offend you? I didn't mean to. I just wanted to let you know that there are people here, at Pet Talk, who have declawed their cats. Does that make them inhumane? No, and you didn't say that, but it is implied.

[NoahsMommy]

Originally posted by sasvermont
Kelly, I didn't mean that you, you Kelly, were being harsh...but when I read....."I was sick to my stomach the rest of the day. I'll have to deal with this, I guess. I just needed to vent here, to those that understand."...... It certainly would lead me to believe that folks who have their cats declawed, make you sick!

You need to find a job where you can take a stand, if it upsets you so. You have to do what makes you happy. I could not work for a vet that declawed. Not now. But that is me.

Did I offend you? I didn't mean to. I just wanted to let you know that there are people here, at Pet Talk, who have declawed their cats. Does that make them inhumane? No, and you didn't say that, but it is implied.

Well, I'm sorry if what I've said was misintrepreted.

I have never, nor will I ever judge and condemn someone for choosing to declaw their cat if they have researched all options. That man at the vet yesterday wasn't to blaim...not at all. He trusted an expert regarding his precious kitties. I was sick because of the vet's attitude.