What a a sad and heartbreaking story In years past - all of our kitties were declawed - most came to us that way from shelters - the others we took to our vet to have done because it was just what you did for indoor cats. Thankfully - none of them changed personalities. RB Ernie used to get absesses on his foot - but I never suspected the declaw.

Now we have beautiful Dylan - who we adopted several years ago when he was about 1 1/2 years old. He had been in the shelter for 6 months and nobody wanted him because he was "fat". He had all four paws declawed - I had never heard of doing that - but he was just the kitty I wanted and now he is mine. I noticed that at times, he would jerk his paw up and hold it - and that he sometimes nips when he is petted more than he wants. I took him to our vet who suggested that his declawed feet might be hurting, and suggested and x-ray. Sure enough, two of his paws show pieces of bone fragment left in the tender tissue. If he ever becomes infected, my vet will do more surgery on him to best help remove the little pieces and make him feel better.

That mutilated and unwanted kitty was Cat of the Day at one time!! He is my gorgeous sweetheart!!

We adopted two more baby kitties last year and they will keep their claws. No more of our babies will have this done!! It did take time to keep offering them scratching posts and cardboard to scratch - and yes, we have some ripped furniture and screens - but they rarely use those claws for more than play and exercise on their toys. They even play with my 9 month old grandbaby and always have - never scratching her even if she pulls their tail.

Now PLEASE read the following:

People who declaw are not bad owners or bad people - they are likely folks who just do not know what is involced in declaws and what might be the consequence. Like I said - *most* of my declawed kitties had no problems at all - but why risk this? They might end up like Nala in the story - or my Dylan sitting in a cage at the shelter.

Teaching facts is the remedy - not accusing or blaming owners - we simply need information. I really do not believe that most owners who declaw do it with a hard heart. I am not even sure that many care so much about their furniture - I know that was never my reason. It was jsut ignorance.

Here on the PT forum I have been blamed and rediculed to tears several times...none of which changed my views on declaw. But, others have given good information and options and that is why I am owner who will never again declaw. I am trying to be more assertive when I talk to owners and even my own vet and technicians who asked nonchalantly if I wanted my two kittens declawed at the same time as their spay and neuter a few months ago. I had to tell them NO, I did NOT, and that I felt it was NOT a viable option and wish that it was not so common. I am hoping that that approach will eventually change their way of looking at the procedure.