Where can I find a humane veterinarian in the western suburbs of Chicago who refuses to declaw cats?

Question

I am looking for a qualified veterinarian who is more interested in the quality of life for my cats than the quantity in his/her bank account. Since declawing is a horrendously cruel act done only for uninformed pet owners and fast money for the vet, I would like to find a vet who refuses to declaw. I want the health and comfort of my cats to come first. If you have a website with a list of such veterinarians, I would really appreciate it. The last vet I went to had just spayed a cat and performed 10 amputations on that poor cat at the same time - the cat had come back due to infections and not healing from this horrible trauma. I asked the pet owner why he would do such a thing, and he said it was either declaw or get rid of the cat - so why didn't he give the cat to a shelter where she could find a person to love her? The poor cat couldn't even stand up. I never want to witness such cruelty again on a visit to a vet.

Little Big Cat
http://www.littlebigcat.com/index.php?action=library&act=show&item=002

Some of you are responding that I might someday choose to declaw my cats or that the vet may sneak my cat to the back and do this. I am only interested in a vet who will not declaw a cat because I believe that he would make better decisions about my cat if one of them was sick. I need a vet I can trust. I can't trust a vet who declaws cats. It's just that simple. I have never, nor would I ever declaw any cat. God made them with claws and that's the way mine will remain for always. I don't have disciplinary problems with my cats because I taught them by love and praise. They don't want to do anything that might make me unhappy. They are wonderful cats and deserve a vet who is equally wonderful. I hope this helps to clarify that I'm looking for a vet who doesn't believe that declawing is a solution and therefore I could trust to take great care to make sure my cats are healthy and never hurt. By the way, for those mentioning Downers Grove, a name please? Thanks so much!

Thank you for loving and caring enough about animals to not want to cause them unnecessary pain and abuse for convenience as some have quoted. It seems from the response that those who believe in declawing just don't care what their pet feels. I question their right to have a pet at all. A special thank you for caring to Batgirl, Maria P, RuneAmok, Kath, Kat, Puppy Zwolle. I do appreciate your support in locating a qualified and humane vet, but more importantly, thank you for caring about the quality of life for animals. Our pets are not just hairy objects to cuddle when we need comfort, they're family members who feel the same pain physically and emotionally as we do. For those of you who think declawing is just fine, you should have your fingers and toes cut off and see if you can function as normal. It would stop hurting in a couple of weeks and then you could figure out how to scratch an itch or pick your nose. You don't deserve a pet.

Answer 1

First of all... good for you for having your eyes open to see the truth! So many don't, and so many cats are needlessly abused because of it. Yes, amputation is abuse. It should not even be permitted to be called declawing, because that isn't what it is. Scratching is what cats do... it's natural and they should not be deprived that necessary pleasure.

Secondly... to find a vet, open up your local phone book and start calling and asking. That is the only way you are going to be able to find out. I wish you luck. It's not easy these days.

Good Luck! and thank you for caring about your cats quality of life more than your couch!

Answer 2

If someone wants to get their cat declawed, that's their decision and their money. If someone else doesn't, the same thing applies. It's really no one's business is it?

And it is far from fast money for the vet, back up the statement. It's a complicated procedure that takes time to do and it has to be done right so that there aren't any complications. The animals need to be monitored for days afterwards in office because it's considered major surgery.

Everyone complains about the vet pricing as if they're all living in McMansions on the money they get off of these procedures. Guess there are uninformed pet owners about that. Does everyone forget the fact that most vets pay for rent, insurance, employee benefits, and payroll? Medicine for humans is expensive, why wouldn't anyone believe it would be for pets? It's pretty much made by the same manufacturers.

If you're looking for a vet who doesn't declaw, then make sure you find one that doesn't crop dogs ears and tails also. Those would fall into the same category, don't you think?

Answer 3

I really doubt they are going to declaw your cat without your approval. So take your cat to your local vet. By the way, I think it was very responsible of that pet owner to keep his cat instead of giving it to the shelter. A ton of shelter cats dont get adopted. I adopted my cat Buffy a couple months ago(she is 7) and she hated being in that little cage. When people would come in to see her, she would hide under her cat bed, it was so sad. She has been in two other homes before I adopted her. Poor little girl. =( She is FINALLY coming out more, she finally let me put a collar on her, and pet her with two hands at the same time, instead of one. So good for him for not "getting rid" of his cat to a shelter.

** You beat your poor cats didnt you? Is that why the dont do anything to make you unhappy? They FEAR you!

** I have two cats. My male cat I never declawed. I tried and tried to teach him where to claw and where not to. He still clawed up the furniture and the carpet, not to mention my arm. He also bites. He is now an outdoor only cat. I adopted a 7 year old cat, from pet pro life, she was already declawed when I adopted her(thank goodness). If/when I get another cat, I will have it declawed while it is a kitten. My sister has a kitten (she is declawed) and she hasnt acted up or acted different after she was declawed. My sister is getting another kitten May 1st. He is going to be declawed as well.

Answer 4

I go to a clinic in Downers Grove and I am very happy with them. They do not declaw and will help anyone who is interested in other ways to prevent scratching. I have been going there for seven years and I've brought them over 15 cats and not a one is declawed except the one cat that was with me when I was at another clinic that loved to declaw.
On another note, it's not that easy to find a shelter willing to take a cat. They seem to all be full. Believe me, I've tried several times.

Answer 5

thank god an american who has seen the consquences of declawing. you have to state to the vet that you donot want your cats declawed the cannot perform such an operation without you consent and if they do you can sue them. trying to find a vet that is against declawing in the USA will be difficult from what i can understand. start by phoning your local humane society, the should be able to give numbers of vets that they use or an animal hospital. good luck in finding a vet that you can trust to treat you cats humanely

Answer 6

You might have to resort to the phone book, but there's a list of holistic vets I can link you to.

But I would go through the yellow pages. Look at those who have ads. Read what they say, check out any websites listed, google the vets.

This is how I found a good vet in Milwaukee. I found myself less than pleased with the one I've been using so I'll be taking the girls to "The Cat Doctor!"

The link is below - just go there and click on the link to find a holistic vet, then you can search by state.

Answer 7

Most vets realize that declwing is cruel and unneccessary, and will not declaw a cat, unless the owner has a REALLY valid reason for doing so (and there are very few really valid reasons for declawing)

Find a vet you are comfy with (I've changed vets twice --now the one I have is a DOLL and very very good for my cats, good TO my cats, helpful, professional, compassionate and knowledgeable)

And PS -- I would lodge an anonymous complaint against that CRUEL vet who did all that terrible stuff to that poor cat!!!!!

Answer 8

I agree that declawing is a nasty procedure, but if it is between that owner declawing the cat or me saying no and it getting dumped in a shelter, the cat will be declawed. All you can do is make suggestions to people, have them try alternatives, but if it is declaw or dump the cat, declaw is the wayt to go. Dumping a cat in an overcrowded shelter may very well get it euthanized. THINK ABOUT CONSEQUENCES BEFORE JUDGING PEOPLE.

Answer 9

Just call every vet listed in the phone book for that area and ask.

Personally, I don't see a problem with declawing IF it's an indoor cat only. Yeah, it's sucks to have it done for a couple of weeks but then they are fine and then you don't have your kids scratched up or your furniture. If they are indoor/outdoor cats they should NEVER be declawed because that is their survival tool.

Now cropping dogs ears (like on Pinschers) is cruel....because it is purely a cosmetic thing.

Answer 10

People say declawing is bad because the poor cat will be defenseless outside from other cats. Well, I think cats should NEVER be allowed outside of the owners home. They go in other people's yard and poop and pee, kill the birds.. I trap them if they get in my yard and go after the birds. I take them out into the country and let them go. They never come back...