Declawing of cats should be illegal
The outlawing of cat declawing in West Hollywood, Calif., started with one person as did making it illegal in Massachusetts.
Thus, if one person of influence reads my article and tries to enforce stricter regulation on this inhumane practice, I will have achieved my goal.
The evidence is overwhelming that declawing is not working.
I spoke with Mr. Molina from his West Hollywood, Calif., council office to confirm the passing of the bill in that city outlawing declawing. He told me that the California Veterinary Association fought the legislation all the way to the California Supreme Court. It is a big part of their yearly income, but they also felt that government has no right to interfere with decisions between a veterinarian and a pet owner.
Opponents neglected to mention the third party involved who suffers as a result. Dr Jennifer Conrad, who was instrumental in getting the law passed, has stated in her abstracts and research that she has never seen a cat without some type of difficulty due to the taking of its claws. She continues speaking around the country trying to convince new veterinary students and legislators that it is causing too much suffering to so many cats.
Because it is a subject of controversy, I do believe that I will find it difficult for someone to print my letter. I have also taken a huge risk that it will cause me to lose friends who have declawed their cats in spite of my urging them to seek other options first.
For the record, I have three indoor cats and I have effectively trained them with several scratching posts throughout my home. I use catnip on the posts when I first purchase them. They walk straight to the posts upon arising from sleep.
I have spoken to the Animal Friends of Pittsburgh, and they will not adopt a cat out to anyone unless they sign a pledge not to declaw. I have called many veterinarians in our area and they all will declaw. I have spoken with two veterinarian offices, one from Hummelstown, Pa., and one from Moundsville, W.Va., and they stand by Dr. Conrad and will not declaw a cat.
If you find my letter impossible to print or share with readers, I will understand. A person willing to pass this on has to be someone abhorred by the amputation of 10 paws.
I tried to write being factual rather than being judgmental.
Linda Decovich Porter is a resident of Brownsville.