Unkotare
Diamond Member
- Aug 16, 2011
- 130,126
- 25,055
- 2,180
For those who think you love cats, and then you declaw them and keep them indoors...you don't love cats. You love the idea that you love cats.
I have six cats, two on purpose, four are rescues. They all have their claws, I just don't bother to buy brand new, nice furniture because it might cause strife if they claw it. Generally, they're pretty good, but they will occasionally scratch on a chair or the couch. I find that you can order really nice slipcovers to rejuvenate old furniture. I go to slipcovershop.com, they're great and quite reasonable. Anyway, it's a good solution to keeping my house looking nice.
I have quite a large yard, and I had it fenced with black chain link, 6' tall because of my Dobermans. At the top of the fence I have barb arms, pointing INWARD at 45 degrees. Across the top of that I have secured plastic netting that then hangs down. What this does is the cats can't get out of the yard. I researched quite a bit before deciding what to do, and it has worked for years now. They CANNOT get out. I wrapped some copper flashing around my tree trunks, that keeps the cats from climbing the tree trunks and getting out that way. You get the picture. So they get to have an outdoor experience, sneak around in the bushes, chase bugs, bask in the sun, etc. without the danger of getting hit by cars, getting lost, getting in cat fights or being killed by dogs.
And it's not that I love cats soooo much...it's just the decent thing to do. I have all this power over what kind of experience they have in this life. I take that very seriously. I feel it is my responsibility to provide them the best possible life experience, including being able to go outdoors safely and getting to keep their claws.
I think Unkotare feels actual anguish for animals who suffer, and that's why he gets so angry. I understand that kind of empathy with animals because I feel it too.
Nice to see there is at least one moral human being on this board.