Cat declawing bill could outlaw practice across New York State

AM Network ^ | January 14, 2015 | By NINA RUGGIERO

[mdmathis6]

Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal’s Statement on the 41st Anniversary of Roe v. Wade

January 22, 2014

“Today marks the 41st anniversary of Roe v. Wade. Though we should be celebrating a decision that has saved the lives of millions of women, instead, we stand at a moment where anti-choice extremists have doubled down on their attempts to dismantle abortion rights and women’s access to reproductive health care,” said Assemblymember Linda B. Rosenthal (D/WF-Manhattan). “We must continue to be vigilant against encroachments into a woman’s right to make critical decisions about their bodies and their lives on their own. Here in New York State, which made access to abortion law before Roe v. Wade was even decided, we must pass all ten points of the Women’s Equality Act, which will send a resounding message across the county that we stand in solidarity with women everywhere who are fighting to preserve their reproductive freedom.”

I find that many politicians who are all about animal rights are all for killing babies!

[onedoug]

I agree. A cat should be allowed to be a cat. Otherwise, get a dog.

[Jamestown1630]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sidehill_gouger

[Jamestown1630]

We had an old cat with very thick, deformed claws. We had to take him to the vet to be cut every few months, or some of the claws would grow into the pad. You just need to find a vet who can do this, or have his tech do it, reasonably for you, let him know you’ll be a constant repeat customer.

Most cats can be easily clipped at home; but it’s easier as a two-person job. Wrapping in towel, laying on side, one person holds down and grabs scruff of neck, while the other clips. (I never clip back feet.)

Our furniture was ruined long ago. The reason I wouldn’t declaw is because you never know how long a cat might live, or how its health will go. I had one very aged cat who needed the claws in his last few years to grab hold and pull himself up onto his favorite chair or the bed; he couldn’t jump adequately anymore...and was a big, heavy cat.

-JT

[Jamestown1630]

I’d like to learn how to train these new cats from scratching the woodwork around doorways. Ours were really messed up by our previous cats. I think we’ve paid almost $9000.00 in cat fees that are non-refundable, so I’m not too worried about it; but I’d like to keep it from going further. (How much does it cost to replace the woodwork around a door, anyway?)

If they’ve gotten used to scratching the woodwork, will they switch to a scratching post if you put it near the woodwork?

-JT

[HiTech RedNeck]

A combination of a sisal scratching post and periodically trimming the sharp tips off their claws (so they can’t dig very far into wood if they try) might help. Don’t trim too far; nicking the quick will make it harder to handle them in the next trimming.

[Jamestown1630]

I just take off the hooks.

A vet-tech who trims my pigeons’ toes told me that taking off just the hook for awhile would cause the quick to recede, and I’d have an easier time in the future (Squeak bled a lot the first time he was cut).

I’m not sure if it’s true for cats.

-JT

[HiTech RedNeck]

Just be careful. It’s the sharp tip that gets a grip into wood. If it’s dull the cat will soon lose interest in the wood.

[Jamestown1630]

I seem to recall a product that had a sticky side - some kind of paper or fabric - and you could apply it to surfaces to deter scratching. I think the idea was that the cat wouldn’t like the sticky feeling.

Can’t recall where I saw it...but I think it was more useful on upholstered furniture than hard surfaces.

-JT

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks! The adoption org did everything right with these cats; but didn’t trim their claws. We’re going to do it this weekend.

-JT

[Labyrinthos]

While there should not be a law one way or the other, I would never declaw a cat because the claws are part of the fun. Also, without claws, the cat is defenseless against abusive children or if it escapes the great indoors.

[wtd]

Tried it ...cat didn't like it but remained persistently determined to remove it from the fabric-covered-fiberglass panels and actually damaged the panels by peeling the fabric away from the fiberglass. Sigh. In that instance, the panel was up against a basement window well in which we've had small outdoor critters seek shelter during the winter months. My cats are fantastic mousers and she probably thought she could dig through the padded wall to get to whatever she saw out the window.

[Jamestown1630]

Oh, Well. Are there any chemical deterrents? (I’ve heard that cats hate the smell of vinegar; one of these new kitties has a passion for the electric range in the kitchen - YIKES! - and I’ve got to find a way to solve this ASAP.)

Best,
JT

[wtd]

Man, oh man...I hate the scent of vinegar...I read somewhere many years ago, it's a depressant. I once spent many hours preparing traditional Sauerbraten...and couldn't bring myself to eat it because I was overwhelmed by the vinegar.

Our solution has been less than successful but not nearly as bad as it could be. We simply make sure to trim kitties nails regularly. We know we're slacking off when we notice wallpaper or the fabric walls being worked on again. Sigh.

Good luck finding a reasonable solution with yours.

[Jamestown1630]

Thanks.

I’ve got a great recipe for Brussels sprouts that are sort of “pickled” in vinegar, garlic, and hot red pepper :-)

One whiff of that on the stove, and you nearly fall out!

But I kind of like the smell of vinegar - it always reminds me of dyeing Easter eggs with my Granny; sort of a Proust moment...

-JT

[wtd]

Thanks...uh, I’ll take your word on the pickled brussels sprouts scent. Enjoy!

[SZonian]

Hmmm...maybe better sentence structure and word choice would prevent any possible misunderstandings then...

[fivecatsandadog]

I’ll remind myself to consult your expertise next time.