Cat Declawing and my tough situation! I need insight! (kittens, declawed, laser) - - City-Data Forum

mandaay · 07-30-2009, 04:33 PM

I would like to apologize in advance for how long this post is.
I’m in a tough situation. I recently moved into my dad’s house to save some money for school. I found 3 adorable kittens in his backyard, under a pool raft. I made the decision to catch them and save their lives, as there are hawks that fly around that could have killed them. I felt guilt taking them from their mother but I felt like I was doing the right thing. A week later, I took them to the vet to get a check up and make sure they were healthy. The vet said they were perfectly healthy as far as she could see, without doing bloodwork. She said they were about 4 weeks old and would have strayed from their mother anyway, within the next week, so I did save their lives. My dad said he didn’t mind if I kept them. They will be indoor cats. He said to litter train them and keep them from biting. They were feral and did not like humans whatsoever. With my boyfriend’s help, we trained them and made them so very loving. They purr all the time and are so cute! We named them Sebastian, Sookie and Rockstar.
Now is the problem: My dad says declawing is a MUST. He has very expensive leather couches and they are already a little scratched up. My dad said either I get them declawed or they are OUT. I have done extensive research and some of the things I’ve read online are horrific. I understand where he is coming from because it is HIS house, but these are my babies. I’ve grown so close to them. I would feel so bad to see them in pain!
We have tried the spray on furniture solution to deter them, and it doesn’t work very well. Soft paws only work so well, and fall off too quickly and over time the costs of them for 3 cats will add up. My next resort is a cat tree/post. I would have gotten one a long time ago but my dad thinks they’re ugly. Yeah, I’m in a lose-lose situation. When I save up enough money, move out and get my own place again, then I will get one for sure.
I hate to say, I finally came halfway with him (if that’s what you would call it) and suggested laser declawing after reading about it online. I know it is STILL painful for them, but websites say it’s LESS PAINFUL, no or minimal bleeding and they heal much faster. He called some vets and he said it is too expensive. I said I would pay the remaining cost (which I don’t have right now but I was desperate!) and he will still pay what he would have initially for the regular declaw. He said okay. My next problem is our kitties are about 3 months old now, and he wants them done within the next month. They need to be spayed and neutered as well, so I suggested waiting until they are 6 months old (which some vets told me is the minimal age for spay/neuter) so we can just have one, big surgery all at once for them so it will be less traumatic. He said cats forget and don’t have feelings like humans do and they won’t care. REALLY??? Do they TELL him that?! I am furious and just want to scream at him! I have no idea what to do. Either I get them declawed or he kicks them out. He IS my father and I love him, but I also love my kitties. They are my children. I’m so sad and I don’t want to hurt my kitties. I need some insight on what to do and how I can get out of this, or what I can tell him. Please!

SouthernBelleInUtah · 07-30-2009, 04:59 PM

And why can't they be shut up in your room away from the leather furniture? Cats don't need to roam the whole house and they definitely don't need to go outside. House cats live much longer than outside cats on average.

yukiko11 · 07-30-2009, 05:46 PM

De clawing cats is robbing them of their main source of safety and defense.
I rescued a declawed cat and always had to accompany him outside because he could not defend himself. Other than that, he was fine.
Your father was very nice to let you keep all these kitties, but when you go to school, who is going to be there to take care of them? It sounds like you are adult so your father has no duty to give up anything he has to help you and you are very fortunate for his favors.
I think the best thing you can do for these cute kittens is to find them homes with people who will love them just as they are and not to be maimed for any body's convenience. Life is about sacrifices, but there are also rewards in the end. Do the right thing even if it is not what pleases you.

ShelbyGirl1 · 07-30-2009, 06:11 PM

I would much rather give them up than have them de-clawed. De-clawing is cruel and painful. Think about cutting up the tips of your fingers to the knuckle.

luvmycat · 07-30-2009, 06:24 PM

What a rough situation...! I have to agree I think it's better to re-home them than to de-claw...what happens if one of them accidentally gets out? No protection whatsoever against the cruel outside world...plus there may be litterbox issues once cats are de-clawed...if your dad is bent out of shape about the furniture getting scratched, I doubt he'll be okay with them urinating/defacating around the house, and it will make it virtually impossible to find them homes if that's the case. I applaud you for saving them, but until you're in a situation where you're able to uphold your own space & call the shots it's better to wait on taking animals in. Your dad has every right to want his home kept in order, but IMO it was irresponsible of him to have allowed you to take the kittens in the first place...didn't he realize that kittens can be very destructive, especially 3 at once?! My advice is to keep them confined to your bedroom until you either move out or find them homes...but please don't get them de-clawed!

Magnolia Bloom · 07-30-2009, 06:28 PM

I had my cat declawed and it hasn't bothered her. She is indoor outdoor and in five years, she hasn't had a problem or seemed bothered by it.

luvmycat · 07-30-2009, 06:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIF

I had my cat declawed and it hasn't bothered her. She is indoor outdoor and in five years, she hasn't had a problem or seemed bothered by it.

You better hope she doesn't run into any mean ferals or twisted children while outside with no claws...just because she's been lucky so far doesn't mean she's not in danger every time she leaves the house!

ShelbyGirl1 · 07-30-2009, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HIF

I had my cat declawed and it hasn't bothered her. She is indoor outdoor and in five years, she hasn't had a problem or seemed bothered by it.

Wonderful. You not only yank it's claws out, but then let it outside where it is completely defenseless

.

M3 Mitch · 07-30-2009, 07:38 PM

Another vote to give them up to someone else - or arrange for them to stay outside if you can - not declaw.

There are claw "sheaths" you can get from Foster & Smith, I think you glue them on, constant PITA I am sure, but is a way around them scratching stuff up without declawing.

maggiekate · 07-30-2009, 07:53 PM

Why dont you see if your local petsmart etc., would adopt the kittens out. They are young, and cute
the best time. I do admire you, for your kind deed, however, It is you dad's home, check with the
local no kill and adoption places. Sure you could keep one, maybe 2, 3 seems a bit costly. Why they do need all the shots etc., Anyway you did Good!