Story published in May 2021.
American Veterinary Group was founded by veterinarians in 2015 and they own & operate over 50 veterinary practices throughout the Southern United States.
American Veterinary Group says that they pursue partnerships with veterinary professionals who share their dedication to clinical excellence.
Unfortunately many American Veterinary Group practices declaw cats.
Do the “leaders” with American Veterinary Group think that this cruel and inhumane amputation procedure is excellence in veterinary medicine?
American Veterinary Group is owned by OakHill Capital. OakHill also owns VetCor. VetCor Story
We looked into how some American Veterinary Group practices address declawing. Please sign our petition to American Veterinary Group. American Veterinary Group petition
Our researchers made a short phone call and asked how much they charge for a declaw, if they do them regularly, and if declawing is ok long term for a cat.
We have withheld the names of employees for fear that they might suffer a backlash for their honest answers.
Here’s what we found.
Parkway Animal Hospital, Panama City, FL. This is where Dr Jon-Paul Carew, the Vice President of Medicine for American Veterinary Group works.
The employee said that they don’t declaw. They said that declawing is not a humane way of taking care of a cat and scratching issues. They said that declawing is taking off the first digit on a cat’s paw. They said there are many humane alternatives.
Northside Animal Clinic, Cleburne, TX.
Employee said that all their vets do declaws regularly. A neuter/declaw is $450-$500. When asked if a declaw is ok for a cat long term they said yes.
Dogwood Veterinary Hospital and Pet Resort. Chapel Hill, NC.
Researcher asked for the price of a spay/declaw and employee asked, “Just the front two or all four?”
A neuter/declaw is $760. Employee said that they will do the declaw but all their doctors prefer not to do them. They said that they have a couple doctors who will do the declaw if that’s what you want. The employee said they like to go over the options.
They only have one doctor who does the 4 paw declaws.
The employee said that a spay/declaw is $907 and a spay/4 paw declaw is $1103.
Lindsey and Willis Animal Hospital, Douglas, GA.
Researcher asked for the price of a neuter/declaw and employee asked, “Do you want all four or front two?”
A two paw declaw is $180 and a four paw declaw is $210. Employee said that they do declaws pretty often.
Benning Animal Hospital, Columbus, GA.
They don’t declaw. The employee said their doctors don’t feel comfortable doing declaws. They said it is painful for the cat every time they walk. They talked about the humane options and Soft Paws.
Panhandle Veterinary Services, Chipley, FL.
Researcher asked for the price of a neuter/declaw and employee asked, “You want just the front or all four?”
A two paw declaw is $160 and a 4 paw declaw is $250. The employee said that all their doctors do declaws quite often. When asked if a declaw is ok for a cat long term they said yes.
Durant Animal Hospital, Durant, OK.
Researcher asked for the price of a neuter/declaw and employee asked, “All four or front two?”
They said that Dr Mills does declaws regularly. When asked if a declaw is ok for a cat long term they said occasionally one will grow back if they don’t get it completely. The employee said that Dr Mills has been a vet and been doing declaws longer than they’ve been alive.
South Point Pet Hospital, Belmont, NC.
They don’t declaw.
Heart of Florida Animal Hospital and Pet Resort, Haines, FL.
Employee said that a neuter/declaw is $390- $445. They said that Dr Wilkinson does the declaws, sometimes one or two a week and he does quite a few. Employee was asked if declawing is ok for a cat long term and they said yes and said, “I’ve always had my cats declawed.”