declaw

Far too many vets declaw.  Please boycott the veterinarians and clinics listed on this site and all others who perform this procedure, which is illegal or considered unethical in most of the countries of the world (see FAQs).  Contact them and let them know that their behavior is inhumane and unacceptable.  We encourage comments, contributions, suggestions, and corrections. Click on the Contact Us button above to send e-mail.

PLEASE BOYCOTT CORPORATE PIMPS:

Banfield Pet Hopitals &

PetSmart Stores

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Banfield, which has over 550 vet clinics across the US, promotes declawing by including declaw surgery as a benefit in its Optimum Wellness Plan for kittens.   Banfield operates clinics in 60% of PetSmart stores.  Since PetSmart has a 31% equity interest in Medical Mangement International, the corporation that owns Banfield, PetSmart profits from everything that Banfield does. 

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Please let PetSmart (storehelp@petsmart.com) and Banfield (owp@banfield.net) know that you disapprove their support of kitten declawing by allowing Banfield to promote it in their stores.  If PetSmart realizes that Banfield's decision will reflect poorly on them, PetSmart may persuade Banfield to eliminate this barbaric practice from their Wellness Plan.  

"ACCIDENTAL" DECLAW PIMP OF THE MONTH:

 Robert Bartlett, DVM

Robert Bartlett, DVM

Dr. Robert Bartlett practices at Columbia Animal Hospital in Columbia, PA.

He was reported to have mistakenly declawed a 5 month old kitten.

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Declaw Hall of Shame recently received this e-mail:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE MAIL

Hi, I am listed on your website as a vet who does declaws, and that info is out of date.  I no longer work in Salem, OR and will NEVER do another declaw.  Even when I did work there I only did two declaw procedures (the only two of my 10 year career).  I would appreciate having my name removed from your website as I will never do another declaw.  I myself at one  point a few years ago had 6 adult indoor cats, none of which were declawed.  They were all easily trained to use the large scratching posts and my furniture and carpet were intact.  The clinic I work at now advocates and places Soft Paws for clients rather than declawing.  We also trim nails frequently for kitty clients.

Thanks for your understanding,    Dr. C E, DVM    Portland, OR

Thanks so much for making this website. It's nice to know that there are people in this world that actually understand that torturing animals is horrific. Keep up the excellent work.

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I have to say I love you people for this site! I have 2 of my own cats, and the person I live with has 5, and I do not have an issue with my cats scratching up furniture, because I have scratch boxes, and a spray and as for scratching? ...it comes with the territory!!! But It rarely ever happens. I read your hate mail, and I laughed through most of it. They make sticky strips for furniture and the spray works! Its inexpensive and is WONDERFUL! or get the tips that you can put on to their claws if you have such a problem with it.  With 7 cats in one house, I don't have a problem, and these people with one cat feel they need to declaw? Unreal!
 
KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!!!!!

Wow, I had no idea that my vet declawed! Its no wonder that they looked at me funny when my husband and myself went in for an appointment with our cat and I was SOOO angry about one of our neighbors (I was telling them the story and very upset about the whole thing), they had completely declawed their cat and their cat is an OUTDOOR cat! I'm a MD/PHD student and the time I spend at home, I spend listening for cats outside and CONSTANTLY "SAVE" this cat from other cats that have their claws. It's the WORST thing they could have done! It's bad enough to actually mutilate your cat, it's another, kicking him outside completely defenseless!
Thanks for your site!

One of Dr. Peter Balasky's (Balasky Animal Hospital, Davie, FL) clients recently applied to adopted two kittens from a rescue group that I volunteer for after her beloved previous cat had died. This was her answer to my question, "Do you plan to declaw your cat?": 
"My previous cat was declawed.  When I told Dr. Balasky that this time around I would not declaw as I heard it was cruel, he told me that was ridiculous and it was not cruel."
 This is a person who cared for her previous cat into extreme old age and infirmity, taught it to do to tricks, and said without being prompted that she wanted to learn to brush her new cats' teeth so they would not suffer the dental disease her previous cat did.  And yet this caring and dedicated cat keeper is being ENCOURAGED to declaw her not-yet-acquired, hypothetical new cats by Pimp Balasky.  God forbid he miss a chance to make a sale... cha-ching. Feel free to post any portion of this email on your site.

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Keep fighting the good fight!!!

I hate the idea of going to a vet who treats but at the same time mutilates. I'm happy there are people like you who truly care about animals and don't think of them as just lifeless toys that can be cut up. Hopefully, someday soon, declawing and all inhumane treatment of animals will be illegal. Thank you.

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Thank you again, Leo, for confirming yet again that another vet should be smacked.  But this time you chose one (Dr. Laurel Leach) that I would really like to strangle with my bare hands.  Last year she and her staff were supposed to be treating a kitten of ours for a very mild urinary tract infection, but she insisted that the 6 week old kitten be given a full round of vaccinations, deworming, and the whole nine yard$$$$.  Needless to say the kitten almost died from a vaccine reaction, and she and her staff, deny any wrongdoing. Our volunteers have chosen to see another vet, gather records, and have vets write letters to the veterinary board recommending an investigation of these DVMs.  I suggest that the veterinary board be made well aware of the serval's illegal declaw.  They will do more than the LA DA's office.

I believe this site serves a purpose...EDUCATION.

Hey there, just found your site.  Great job.  Keep up the good work.  :)

Keep up the good work.

Great website that you have

Thank you! I have 2 rescued cats that were declawed before I got them. Know why they were sent to the shelter?.. because they cant use the litter pan. Know why? Because they were butchered and had their nails taken out and their paws are so sensitive they cant use a litter box. Try scraping litter with your finger tips chopped off! Our solution was.. puppy training pads! they use it like a litter box.
 
Thank you for spreading the word.

Hello, I recently consulted a vet about declawing my dear cat who has been scratching on my brand new furniture.  The vet left me feeling confident that she would be ok and that a lot of people get their cat declawed.  But I held off and wanted to do my own research  While I was web browsing I came across your website.  After reading the horror stories and crying my eyes out, I picked up my beautiful cat and just cried and apologized for even thinking I could put her through it.  Thank you so much, for your website.  It made me realize I could've made a terrible mistake.  My cat is my WORLD, she is family and I just can't even think of a terrible outcome of the surgery. Your website really makes a difference and I hope everyone else does their research before declawing their pet.  I am now the owner of Soft Paws and so far so good.

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I just wanted to thank you for educating people, and encourage you to keep up the good work!

I'm from the UK. Most people in this country do not understand why so many Americans feel the need to de-claw cats. It's like cutting their fingers off! We regard it as barbaric, and vets here will not perform the proceedure.  I have heard it said that it's done to prevent furniture scratching. Why have a cat if your furniture is so important? Cats are sentient beings. They feel pain and distress. Furniture doesn't.  Why isn't there some major campaign in the US against this cruel and unnecessary practise. It should be outlawed across all states. Hateful practise!

I just happened across your Web Site and was appalled to see Cat Declawing. I had up to this point never heard of it being done (DHOS note: the writer is from Australia). I certainly hope it is not done in Australia and never does.  It was heart wrenching to see the photos of Declawing Mistakes.  Great Web Site, has my full support.

Me and Mikey just wanted to say "thank you" for educating us on declawing. "Me" being a new cat owner thought declawing was something like a neuter that was "just done." Mikey is my 9 year old daughter's cat. When we looked up about declawing I was horrified. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for educating the public.

Your site is great. The hate-mails speak volumes...it's only the perpetrator's who hate the truth "exposed."  You made my day.  Thank you for your work and efforts.

Thanks for the website.  Those vets are a disgrace to the wonderful ones.

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THANK YOU VERY MUCH!  I appreciate what you are doing and all your help!

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I agree with everything you're saying!!  I have two very happy DSH black cats with claws!

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My boyfriend's cats are declawed, and I had considered having my wonderful, rescued Bombay mutilated so they would all get along. 

No and hell no!  Your website reminded me why I am against declawing.  Thank you.   PS: The cats get along just fine!

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Thank you for you site! My 5 month old kitten is going to be fixed this week and was going to be declawed as well. I have struggled with this decision, but some of my friends thought it was a good idea. After doing some more research and reading the posts here on this web page she will NOT be declawed!!

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