Declawing help???

Question

Ok well not help with declawing itself but rather a policy. We got a cat from a shelter that was about to be put down because she'd been there so long - I fell in love with her and just COULDN'T let that happen. So we brought it back to the apartment and then went and told the rental office we'd got a cat, so they had us sign the proper papers. We'd mentioned getting a cat several times during the interviews and the lease signing, and they'd said when we got it we'd have to pay $250 nonrefundable deposit and sign the Pet lease (along with $15 extra per month pet rent). All of this we said okay to (it seemed a bit extreme, but oh well.) However, when we went in to sign the papers, all of a sudden THEN we're told we have to have the cat declawed for it to stay in the apartment - we're even required to show the bill for the procedure to them! Now I personally do NOT agree with declawing, but they specifically said NO EXCEPTIONS. (Further details to come, I ran out of space.)

Now obviously, I didn't want to RETURN the cat, they were about to put down the poor girl. Anyway we argued about it but they said there was nothing they could do and we had to either declaw it or get rid of it. So (and I will regret this for the rest of my life) we took her to get declawed, a very expensive procedure, and the aftercare is TONS of work that really isn't necessary because of scratching posts and training. It's been almost two months since this happened and we have not shown them the bill because we wanted to wait to see if they asked and when they would, they said we had to do it within a week. We have not been asked for the bill YET. It seems to have been a pointless procedure that did nothing but cause her a lot of pain. Now my question is - is there ANYTHING I can do to change this policy of theirs? It's cruel, and OBVIOUSLY pointless (not to mention, without claws, HOW could my cat do $250 worth of damage to NOT get my deposit back??!)
THANK YOU for reading.

I would MUCH rather have moved - but I got lucky and my parents were paying my rent, and they'd already approved the place - and their policy on terminating the lease early is I'd have to buy out the rest of the lease x 2, and I'd JUST moved in (12 month lease). It really wasn't a option.

Answer 1

I'm sorry you had to have your cat declawed. You are probably battling with ignorance on the part of the apartment management. Very many people still do not understand what a painful and serious procedure declawing a cat is. (I only realized myself a few months ago and have owned several declawed cats, including two now).

I think you should print out the information on 'Soft Paws' cat claw covers and also the information on exactly what is involved in the surgery to have a cat declawed. Take this info to the apartment's management and explain that their belief that having a cat declawed is the only way to keep an apartment from being damaged is false. Try to make your case calmly and clearly without getting overly emotional or irate about what happened to your cat. If you can educate these people as to the painful reality of declawing and the available alternatives, you may save many other cats and their owners from having this procedure shoved down their throats. You might also be able to call the local SPCA or a local vet that refuses to perform declawing procedures and find someone who will provide you with expert back-up in your education efforts.

Answer 2

First I agree, declawing is absolutely cruel to the cat. They compare it to amputating a finger.

If it wasn't in the original pet lease you signed, I don't think they can legally make you declaw the cat. As for the damage, most of it will be happening to YOUR furniture, rather than anything in the apartment. Also, It's inevitable that at some point the cat is going to pee on the carpet, which any respectable apartment complex should replace before any new tenant moves in.

As for alternatives, try soft claws. It's an adhesive cap that goes over the claw, and comes in a variety of colors to beautify your cat. Try here: http://www.softpaws.com/

Whatever you do, don't get rid of the cat, it's part of your family now! Good Luck!

Answer 3

When you move into an apartment they have the right to tell you that you have to get your cat declawed because they are renting an apartment to you. They want to make sure that the cat does not destroy the place. What you can do is go to the book store and there are books that have to do with the Tenant and the landlord and their rights. I have a book and it is called "The Tenants Rights"and it has a lot of good stuff in it and also has about animals in it. You may want to check it out. There are two different kinds of contracts Written and oral and if both of them a broken they can kick you out. If it was a written contract then they have to state it on the contract that cats have to be declawed.

Answer 4

You would need to get a lawyer to go over this for you and see if this can be prevented from happening for future tenants or yourself if you get a second cat. A lot of times, renters just don't have much going in the way of rights. And things just seem to be tightening up constantly.
Perhaps they'd had a cat in a rental that shredded the trimwork, carpets or draperies. This can happen and it is an expense, but the deposit should have covered it. As far as I know, if it isn't in writing, they can't just demand it. However, for your cat, it's a done deal. You might have contacted a lawyer to start with to fine comb the contract and stand behind you and this is something you can do in the future. I have rented with clawed cats and have not seen this type of demand before, but it's difficult when you are backed up to the wall like this, isn't it?

Answer 5

If they did not mention that your cat had to be de-clawed then they cannot make you do so. Go back over your lease agreement and check the small print, if there is nothing in the lease/tennancy agreement then you are leglly fine to let your cat go de-clawed and remain in the apartment.
De-clawing is cruel, I'd rather move than do anyday.

Answer 6

How about getting soft claws...I agree with you...declawing is horrible and I am against it too!! I will check back and wait for further details!

Oh yeah, we trim our cats claws weekly...have a vet show you how...it really makes a huge difference...just have the vet show you cuz if you cut back to far you can make the claws bleed a lot!

Answer 7

Well, that is lame. But cats do scratch stuff. I'd talk to a different manager. Show them how old the cat is.

If you can't get anywhere, declaw the cat. As long as it's indoors, it won't be a problem.

Answer 8

Obviously people arent ready your whole submission because they dont get that *you already had the procedure done.* Do you have anything in writing in regards to their requirement of the declaw? Without that, you really only have he-said-she-said.