Posted on 01/14/2015 11:28:21 AM PST by Responsibility2nd
New York State Assemblywoman Linda Rosenthal, known for showing her claws against animal cruelty, is pouncing on a new topic: cat declawing.
Rosenthal, who represents district 67, mainly covering Manhattan's Upper West Side, has penned a bill that would ban removing cats' claws unless necessary for medical reasons, the New York Daily News reports.
The bill has not yet been introduced to the state Senate, but it has been backed by the Humane Society of New York.
"Too often, people think that declawing is a simple surgery that removes a cat's nailsthe equivalent of having your fingernails trimmed. Sadly, this is far from the truth," the Humane Society says on its website. "Declawing traditionally involves the amputation of the last bone of each toe. If performed on a human being, it would be like cutting off each finger at the last knuckle."
The Paw Project, a non-profit dedicated to educating the public about the effects of declawing, is also behind it. The group has successfully led campaigns to make declawing illegal in cities across California, including Los Angeles and San Francisco, and in 2014 helped get a law in Rhode Island enacted to prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to declaw their pets.
If Rosenthal's bill is enacted, New York would be the first in the country to introduce a state-wide ban on the practice.
Rosenthal's previous efforts include fighting to extend orders of protection to domestic animals and limiting cosmetic testing on animals. Just last month, her bill banning pet tattoos and piercings was signed by Governor Andrew Cuomo.
I was flamed real bad (by several FReepers) on a thread years ago for using that pic.
They failed to see the humor. Oh Well.
One day, I picked up a phone call and was surprised that it was our vet trying to schedule him for a declawing. I told her that she was mistaken - our cat was a full grown adult that had lived in the wild for a bit before we rescued him and he would not need that service. She explained that my wife was worried about the leather furniture so i told her (and my wife when she came home) that the cat could have the furniture for as long as it took to get it out of his system - if he ruined it, we could get it recovered once he was gone.
He was the best cat ever and suddenly stopped exercising his claws on the furniture. We both miss him and would never have a cat declawed.
Knowing my cats that would be true. When we try to do certain things they will definitely tear you with their teeth if they don’t like it. Their animals and like dogs, they can still bite.
My clawed cat got flattened by a car.>>>>>>>
Show us the photo of your cat pretending to be a pancake!
When I had indoor cats, I had them declawed. Never had a problem.
Fidel was an ultra tiny all white chiwawa that was very possessive of me. When he met Harley, the cat, he jumped up on his hind legs and bit him on the chin.
He would not allow Harley to get within 4 feet of me. He would body-slam the cat. He would start running and slam intot he cat at high speed.
Sadly, Fidel developed a broken trachea and couldn’t breathe ... I put him down. I was HEARTBROKEN.
The next morning I went out and found a cocoa colored chiwawa called “Snickers” for his chocolate coat. I shortened it to Nikki.
About three months later I went to a breeder and got Lula, a tiny, mostly white white/black/brown female.
Nikki is laid back and mellow, Lula is possessive and MUST sleep under my chin each night. :0)
IMHO, de catting is preferable to declawing
I loved that cat. He was a real tough guy. He was a serial killer cat and would display his kills on our patio. They were placed on their backs spread out in the same way and same direction every time. One time his kill was a hawk. He was one tough cat, but not tough enough for a car. I still miss him.
LOL!
ALL of my cats have been strictly indoor cats and NONE of them have been declawed. I like my cats armed and ready to defend themselves in case they slip outside.
My Shelley did the same thing with her kills. We used to joke that our backyard looked like an especially bloody episode of a new show: CSI: Long Island. We called her The Grey Death.
She died last year, at the age of 18. Miss her terribly. Thankfully, we had just gotten a new kitten, and of course we still have our dog, Ranger to keep us company.
BTW, all our cats have always been indoor/outdoor cats, and all have lived to be ripe old ages. One of them (my Mittens) lived to be 23! I got her as a stray kitten when I was 5, and she died two weeks before my wedding day when I was 28.
No car accidents, no serious fights with dogs (that’s what trees are for), no diseases...really nothing to write home about. Oh! Except for the abovementioned Shelley. She got her tail caught in the back door on her way outside. Had to go to the vet for that one, and the tip of her tail was permanently bent from it.
Sorry to hear about your kitty, though. It’s very hard when they die, isn’t it?
Regards,
Yes. They are family and are remembered in our hearts forever.
My Sully who was hit by the car was quite young: maybe two or three. But I do not blame the outdoors. Life is life for animals same as people. Sometimes bad things happen.
I do think there are many choices for owners of cats and that most choices are perfectly fine. The animal will adapt.
I declawed a male neutered cat when he started scratching my leather recliner. He was about a 1 1/2 years old at the time. He went outside for the rest of his life. He lived to be 18 years old. He had a great life and not having claws never seemed to bother him.
We have always had indoor/outdoor cats, When they were stuck inside because of illness,injury,weather, I would bring in some wood or something for them to scratch on, If health and safety permitted I would take them out for 15 minutes or so each day so they could scratch that worked along with giving them cat scratch toys,anti clawing spray on furniture, giving them an old chair some training etc.
I'm all for minimal government intrusion in our life, However,I have no problem with de-clawing laws, as that is just what I call good governing when you pass laws for people and God's creatures that don't have a voice. God entrusted animals to our care and the bible mentions animals and their well being often. Declawing has no benefits to the cat and only harms the cat and even indoor cats sometimes find their way outside. While neutering/spaying has benefits according to the mainstream view, from what I understand in my non-medical opinion I'm not going to weigh in on that. Again all this from my non-medical opinion from someone who thanks God for all the Cats God has sent to me and my family.
Dont get cats if you have to declaw them. Try a fish. Or a turtle they are wonderful pets.
A$$$$es. My actual choice of words is not permitted here.
“... in 2014 helped get a law in Rhode Island enacted to prohibit landlords from requiring tenants to declaw their pets.”
So landlords that would have required declawing now just won’t allow cats at all. Great thinking there, politicians.
http://www.amazon.com/Earl-Dead-Cat-Plush-Toy/dp/B00BOM8UJQ
That’s so awesome!!
I am pro-chloice when it comes to declawing cats. Let the owner decide. The cat is lucky to have a home at all.
I am messing up my typing today. I need to slow down.
I am pro-choice when it comes to declawing cats. Let the owner who is giving him a home decide.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.