We are constantly being reminded of how animals, especially domestic animals, are dependant on humans for their well-being. The decisions we make or do not make, place them perilously at our mercy.
In many ways it is an unenviable position for them to be in: to be so vulnerable, to depend so much on the kindness of strangers. It is why we have a responsibility, as a society and as individuals, to discharge our obligations to animals with generosity and love. For 135 years, these obligations have been at the heart of the San Francisco SPCA's mission to save homeless dogs and cats.
However, there are times when an obligation is not clear-cut, but a dilemma with no easy resolution. On September 23rd, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors voted to condemn the practice of declawing cats, but not to ban it. To the consternation of some supporters of a total ban, The San Francisco SPCA's stated position is essentially the same as that of the Board of Supervisors. This organization firmly opposes declawing and does not perform the surgery at our facility. We strongly advocates against it and work to educate the public about alternative ways to prevent destructive clawing. At the same time, when there are cats at risk of euthanasia because the procedure has been made illegal, the Society regretfully is unable to support a total ban. We are faced with an invidious choice and our decision has been made only after a great deal of careful thought, and input from the veterinarians and the Board of Directors.
The SF/SPCA has concluded that a scientific study of the whole question of declawing cats needs to be carried out, one that would provide definitive answers to some of the anecdotal evidence offered by both sides of the argument. We need to know why, if declawing is believed to be the answer to scratching, so many declawed cats are presenting at shelters, and whether declawing merely exchanges one set of problematic behavior for another.
Moreover, this organization is of the opinion that veterinarians should be required to explain, before routinely performing declawing surgery, exactly what it entails, since many owner/guardians are not aware of the exact nature of the procedure, nor of its possible adverse consequences. Only when they understand the facts, and have been advised about alternative methods to prevent destructive clawing, can they make a truly informed decision about declawing. And a truly informed decision will, we believe, ultimately lead to the cessation of this practice.
