Caring Hands does a good job of taking care of the pets entrusted to them, but when someone comes to them asking for declawing, it is sadly allowed. Vets should NEVER have to be made to harm an animal all because someone wants them to look a certain way. Vetertarians should only remove tails or claws if it is absolutely necessary for the pets.
Declawing, ear cropping, tail cropping, and dew claw removal are all unnecessary for dogs and cats. The only time Tail cropping or dew claw removal should be applied is if the tail or dew claw is deformed or severely injured and it is best to remove them. But, most of the time it is done simply for aesthetic reasons.
Declawing a cat causes great discomfort in the cat since declawing removes part of the toe and cats walk on their toes. It can cause the cat to lose confidence in their ability to defend themselves, difficulty walking, spinal complications from being unable to properly stretch and scratch, and even depression. It also poses a risk if the cat gets out and is unable to defend himself/herself from dogs, foxes, or other potential threats. Nor able to climb a tree to escape them.
Ear cropping causes dogs pain that can lasts for days to even weeks, and make it harder for them to socialize with other dogs who may take the upright ears for aggression. It is unnecessary to crop ears, can even make dogs more prone to ear infections, and communication difficulties with other dogs that can lead to negative outcomes.
Tail docking and dew claw removal causes more unnecessary pain to a dog and has no purpose other than getting a dog to look a certain way. It is only necessary to remove them if the dew claw and/or tail is damaged or deformed to such a state that removal is the best option for the dog's health and happiness. Dogs need their tails to help them keep balance as they run and make sharp turns, communicate with other dogs, and of course wag them madly when their humans come home.
Many other countries have already set up bans on these cruel practices, and even some vet clinics in the United States have step up to end this outdated treatment. Please, Caring Hands Animal Hospital, change your rules when it comes to declawing, ear cropping, tail docking, and dew claw removal and do what's best for the pets that enter your care. And better educate pet parents against the dark truths of doing any of these things to their furry family members.
