Pets of the Month

tumors.”

The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) concurs. “The ASPCA is strongly opposed to declawing cats for the convenience of their owners or to prevent damage to household property. The only circumstances in which the procedure should be considered are those in which all behavioral and environmental alternatives have been fully explored, have proven to be ineffective, and the cat is at grave risk of euthanasia,” the group says in its position statement.

Pet welfare organizations agree that serious harm results from declawing. The PetMD website says negative results from declawing include the potential for botched surgeries, infection, refusal to use the litter box due to paw sensitivity, paw pain and nerve damage, lameness, back pain caused by changes in how they walk, and behavioral changes. A study from 2017 in the Journal of Feline Medicine and Surgery identified similar issues. The Paw Project declares that declawing fundamentally damages cats, who normally walk on their toes, and compares the result to a human walking with pebbles in their shoes. The group also notes that “claws are the primary defense cats use to protect themselves, so declawed cats will resort to other means of self-protection such as biting when they feel threatened or antagonized.”

The chief means to minimize damaging scratching is to provide plentiful and proper scratching opportunities through scratching posts that meet the cat’s needs, as Catster details. The HSUS offers other tips on cat scratching. They stress keeping cat claws trimmed to minimize damage to household items and providing stable scratching posts and boards around the home. Having both vertical and horizontal posts of different materials provides variety, which owners can further make attractive by adding toys and catnip. To play a little defense, consider covering other areas with two-sided tape to discourage clawing the furniture. If conditions require further steps, ask a veterinarian about soft plastic caps (like Soft Paws®) that are glued to the cat’s nails.

Still, no one can expect perfection from their cat. During discussions on the Maryland law, sponsor Senator Cheryl Kagan (D-Montgomery County) said, “If people are uncomfortable with sometimes getting scratched or sometimes having the furniture get scratched, they probably shouldn’t adopt the kitty.”

Invented to address human convenience many decades ago, new attitudes reflect human compassion and empathy. The consensus view holds that declawing inflicts permanent physical and behavioral damage to address a problem that training, patience, and common equipment can almost always solve. Virginia and the City of Alexandria should begin the process of ending the practice of declawing for non-medical reasons.

Ken Byrer is a writer living in Alexandria, VA

PETS

OF THE MONTH

4101 Eisenhower Avenue Alexandria, VA 703-746-4774 alexandriaanimals.org Mon-Fri, 1-8 pm Closed Wed Sat & Sun, 12-5 pm

Brown

14--year-old Brown is always chill, no matter the temperatures. This laid-back mastiff mix prefers to take it easy when the mercury soars, with a lot of time snoozing in bed - though he’s happy to join his human friends for a bout of snuggling. Schedule time to meet Brown from his foster home by emailing Adopt@ AlexandriaAnimals.org.

Honey

How does Honey stay cool? By letting the summer breeze flap through her ears and keeping her smile bigger than the sun. At 6 years old, this terrier mix keeps her brain busy learning new tricks in the cool of the A/C; she doesn’t need long walks in the sun. Learn more about Honey by emailing Adopt@ AlexandriaAnimals.org or calling 703.746.4774.

Carlie

Carlie’s got it made in the shade this summer. Now all she needs is a family to call her own! Carlie’s Summer Tips: When you get warm chasing all the toys, a nice roll on the grass is the best way to cool down. Thanks for the advice, Carlie! Meet Carlie by calling 703.746.4774 or emailing Adopt@ AlexandriaAnimals.org.