How to Fight Declawing in Your Town
You know that declawing is an inhumane practice that benefits people but not cats. You can't stand the thought of cats in your city having to go through declaw surgeries. But you're not an activist, and you don't know how to help. We've compiled a few things you can do to help end declawing in your town.
Always Be Respectful
The first thing to remember is that, if you're going to represent a cause, you will want to consistently put your best foot forward. Always be kind and respectful when speaking to anyone about your views on declawing, and that includes online discussions. Sometimes the messenger can affect the message, so if you allow your temper to get the best of you and speak disrespectfully, your great message could get clouded.
This doesn't mean that you can't be firm and strong, of course. It just means to choose your language and tone carefully. It can help to remember that the people you are trying to convince aren't the enemy; they just may not be aware of all of the implications that declawing can have on a cat.
Enlist Help
It's always easier to represent a cause when you have others to help you. You can find like-minded people on social media or during conversations while you are out and about in your community. When you have enough people, you can consider starting a group or Facebook page for your cause. Harnessing the power of many minds makes it easier to come up with ideas and execute plans.
Look for Non-Declawing Veterinarians
You can call the veterinarians in your area and politely ask them whether or not they do declaw surgeries. Make a list of those who do not. You can use this list to spread the word among your community that there are veterinarians who don't perform declaw surgeries. Many veterinarians are giving up declawing, so you should check back with the clinics that say they do them every six months to see if they have changed their policy. Please check your list against ours at www.declaw.com/veterinarians-who-do-not-declaw/list-of-veterinarians and contact us to let us know of vets you've found who aren't listed.
Write an Editorial
You can write an opinion piece for printing in your local newspaper about declawing. Again, be sure to use strong but respectful language. Focus on the facts about declawing; how it is 10 separate amputations that the cat is then expected to walk on. Discuss how cats often have long-term problems like pain and litter box aversion after declaw surgeries. Be sure to mention that there are alternatives to declawing, like Soft Paws and great scratching posts. You can post such an editorial on your social media accounts, too, made public so they're shareable.
Look into Legislation
Find out whether there are any plans to legislate against declawing in your state. If there are not, begin writing your representatives to ask for it. If there are, find out how you can help. Petitions and informational outreach might be necessary to help get anti-declaw laws passed. You can also contact Paw Project for help and information.
You May Also Like These Articles:
Walk Through a Declaw Surgery with a Kitten
Bad Cat Behaviors Caused by Declawing
Why Your Cat Needs a Good Cat Scratching Post
www.declaw.com/veterinarians-who-do-not-declaw/list-of-veterinarians