why do people think its ok to declaw a animal

Its cruel and unfair to a cat, they have instincts to scratch, don't they?

I would never do it but I would never let the claws get to long!

Megan H - when did you go to college - like a 100 years ago?

Have you seen all the data coming out of the shelters about how many declawed cats end up with behavioral problems and are euthanized because they were declawed?

*Published 2/1/03 on CourierPostOnline.com, "Eighty percent of the cats that are surrendered that are declawed are euthanized because they have a behavioral problem鈥? Declawed cats frequently become biters and also stop using litter boxes鈥?One or the other鈥?鈥?said William Lombardi shelter director, Gloucester County, New Jersey.

*In a study published in the January, 2001 JAVMA, 33% of 39 cats that underwent onychectomy developed "at least" one behavior problem immediately after surgery, with the most common problems being litter box problems and biting.

*In a recent study published October, 2001, JAVMA by Dr. Gary J. Patronek, VMD, PhD., 鈥溾€eclawed cats were at an increased risk of relinquishment.鈥?

*A recent national survey of shelters from the Caddo Parrish Forgotten Felines and Friends indicates that approximately 70% of cats turned in to shelters for behavioral problems are declawed.

*From the Summer 2002 issue of PETA鈥檚 Animal Times: 鈥淎 survey by a Delaware animal shelter showed that more than 75% of the cats turned in for avoiding their litter boxes had been declawed.鈥?