Tips from Tiffani - by Tiffani Zimmerman

Taking Care of Your Pet

Dear Tiffani,

My wife and I just got a new leather couch and now she wants to get our cat declawed. I’ve heard this can be a painful operation, is that true?

To declaw or not declaw

Dear Mr. Claws,

There are many reasons not to declaw and I feel pain is the number one reason. A cat’s claw is the anatomic equivalent of the last bone or joint of the human finger or toe. Therefore declawing is the same as amputating the first joint of all of a person’s fingers or toes. An indication of the extremity of the pain associated with this surgery is the recovery. Unlike most routine surgeries, such as spaying or neutering, that result in a fairly peaceful awakening; when a cat wakes from declawing surgery, they desperately scramble around trying to escape the excruciating pain and continue to do so throughout recovery. Additionally, since declawing takes away a cat’s natural defenses, it generally results in fear-based behavioral problems such as biting, extreme avoidance or aggression with other animals and people, and urinating outside of the litterbox. Also declawed cats should never be let outdoors as they can’t defend themselves. In most countries where cats are companion animals, declawing is illegal or effectively banned.

A cat scratches to release stress, affirm territory and exercise muscles. Cat’s claws help them keep their balance as they walk, jump, and climb. Although it may be inappropriate at times, scratching is a natural behavior. A cat declawed can not properly scratch which can profoundly interfere with their core behaviors. 

There are many alternatives to declawing a cat. We can teach a cat to scratch in suitable areas by providing inviting scratching posts. There are actually attractive ones that can enhance you décor! You want to make them vertical so they can stretch as they scratch. I also suggest trimming their claws, which your veterinarian, groomer, or Shelter staff can demonstrate. You can protect your couch with products like a Sofa Saver or slipcover, and use deterrents such as double sided sticky tape or citrus scented liquids as options to help dissuade cats from undesirable scratching – and they’re all less expensive than the surgery.

So please refrain from this unnecessary, painful operation. I’m confident you can save your couch, your cat, and be a purrfectly happy household.

Paws and think about it, Tiffani

Dear Stafford Animal Shelter,

I have wanted to donate money to your shelter, but I’m a hunter and member of the NRA which I’ve heard the Humane Society is against.

Signed, questioning my donation.

Dear Questioning,

I am very glad you brought this up. It’s a common assumption that all “Humane Societies” (a generic term for animal welfare organizations) are associated with the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), which is untrue. While the national group HSUS does take political stances on issues such as hunting, gun control, etc., the Stafford Animal Shelter does not. We are a non-profit, private organization without affiliations or financial support from national organizations. Our job is to serve our community’s pets in need, and that’s what we do. We are funded by concerned local citizens, such as yourself, grants, and contracts with the City and County that pay a small fraction of the cost to care for the strays they impound with us. While we do charge adoption fees, the amount is approximately $300 less than what it costs us to provide housing, food, and medical care such as vaccinations and spaying/neutering of each animal.

So you can see how important your donation would be in providing much needed services to displaced pets in our community. While we do believe in the prevention of cruelty to animals, we focus on pets and practical solutions such as spaying/neutering to prevent unwanted litters, behavior advice (like this column!) and other educational community partnerships. Our mission is to house displaced animals, care for them to the best of our ability, and match them with lasting, loving homes – and your donation can help make that happen.

So please spread the word. Tell your friends and family who we are and what we do. Come in and visit, call and ask questions, and please do send in that donation! 

We appreciate your support of our Shelter animals, Tiffani 

Tiffani Zimmerman is the Behavior Specialist at the Stafford Animal Shelter. Email questions to her at behavioradvice@imt.net or call 222-1312.