UPDATE! THE AMERICAN ASSOC. OF FELINE PRACTITIONERS BANNED DECLAWING IN ALL THEIR CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICES ON JULY 1, 2021.

Some of the Cat Friendly Practices below chose to stop being certified as a Cat Friendly Practice so they could continue declawing cats.

Cascade Hospitals for Animals in Grand Rapids, MI is one of them.

July, 2018

Declawing and CAT FRIENDLY don’t go together.

AAFP and Declawing- The Full Story

 Of the 156 Cat Friendly Practices in Alabama, Ohio, Iowa, Nebraska, Illinois, New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Oklahoma, and Texas in my study, 133 declaw cats. (85%)

PLEASE TAKE 20 SECONDS AND SIGN MY PETITION TO THE CAT FRIENDLY ORGANIZATION. YOUR VOICE MATTERS. AAFP Petition

The Cat Friendly Practice is a program that was conceived and developed by International Cat Care (ICatCare) in 2012. This program is run by International Cat Care’s veterinary division, the International Society of Feline Medicine (ISFM) , which accredits clinics that have met its high standards of feline care.

I reached out to ICatCare.org and asked them when did they stop allowing declawing Cat Friendly Practices.

Here’s their answer.

“Declawing has never been allowed at our Cat Friendly Clinic’s which cover the whole world apart from America.“

Why is the American Association of Feline Practitioners allowing declawing in their Cat Friendly practices? The rest of the world has nice furniture, older people with thin skin, and people with immune-compromised issues but they know it is wrong to do such a mutilating and inhumane procedure to cats.

I wanted to look into how declawing is addressed in many of the Cat Friendly practices in America.   The states in my survey like Michigan, Iowa, and Nebraska, covered most of the Cat Friendly practices. The other states, it was just a random sampling of Cat Friendly Practices.

Does your local CAT FRIENDLY Practice declaw cats? Here’s the link on how to find one in your area. [button href=”https://catfriendly.com/find-a-veterinarian/” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Cat Friendly Practices Search[/button]

 The general questioning went like this:

The practice was called by a researcher asking for a price for a spay/neuter and declaw, asked which vet was skilled at the procedure, asked what declawing method they use, and asked if it was a  routine procedure at the Cat Friendly practice.

We have withheld the names of employees for fear that they might suffer a backlash for their honest answers.

THE RESULTS

Dec. 2019 UPDATED Survey.  85% of the Cat Friendly Practices that we surveyed still declaw cats.

(New York Cat Friendly Practices were excluded in our  2019 follow-up survey since declawing was banned in New York State.)

We found 6 practices that stopped declawing since July 2018.

That makes it 22 no-declaw Cat Friendly Practices out of a total of 142 in our survey that don’t declaw cats.

One stopped because the declawing vet retired, one stopped because they say that new research shows that it can cause long term medical issues, one stopped because they said it is inhumane,  one stopped because they said it is banned in their state NJ (Declawing hasn’t been banned in New Jersey yet), one stopped but is still referring clients to two declawing vet practices (we won’t add them to our no-declaw list) , one stopped and said it’s bad for cats and can change their personality.

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Story Published in 2018

According to our study of 156 Cat Friendly Practices in 10 states:

• 85% of the CAT FRIENDLY practices declaw cats
• 15% do not perform declaws

THESE VET PRACTICES ARE TRULY CAT FRIENDLY AND ARE HOW ALL THE American Association of Feline Practitioners (AAFP) CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICES SHOULD BE!

THE SURVEY

Researcher asked the employee for the price for a spay and the employee said $245. The researcher then asked for a price for a declaw. The employee said it’s $175 if you do the declaw with the spay or $299 for just the declaw.

ILLINOIS CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICES

1- VCA County West Animal Hospital in Kankakee                They said that they can do declaws and that a declaw is $400 and a spay is $350. They have an option for laser declaw. They recommend their medical director for the declaws and you have to have an exam to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedures.      

2- Markham Animal Clinic (Also AAHA and FEAR FREE)

Researcher asked for the price of a spay/declaw and the employee asked, “Were you interested in all 4 paws or just 2?”

An all four paw declaw is $285 and it’s $68 extra if you go with the laser. One employee said that all their doctors do declaws regularly. Another employee said that their 3 vets, Heidi, Denise, and Jackie are “well versed” in the declaw and have done multiple declaws.

When asked if they were a FEAR FREE practice the employee said yes and that they use pheromones and try to avoid excessively holding the animals.

One of their associate veterinarian’s since 1997, Dr. Jack Titolo, invented a declaw clamp. Here is a video of him performing a declaw with his special clamp. WARNING, THIS VIDEO IS VERY GRAPHIC AND DISTURBING [button href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nE1xzVCzERQ&feature=youtu.be” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] WARNING-Graphic video of Dr Jack Titolo using the clamp he invented to declaw a kitty[/button]

According to an employee at the practice, Dr Titolo is retired but fills in at their clinic once every couple of months.

3- Animal Medical Center of Chicago                                      After researcher asked for the price of a spay and said they are a first time cat owner and is there anything else that people have done or that they recommend to have done for their cats and employee said, “If you want to do a declaw or dental, we can do that.”   The employee said that you have to get a $72 exam to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedures and all four of their doctors do declaws and use a scalpel. They said they can’t give a price for a declaw until the exam.

4- Capitol Illini Veterinary in Carlinville                      Researcher asked if they do declaws and employee said yes and asked, “Would you want to do all four paws or just two?” The cost for an all four paw declaw and spay is $629.21. Employee said all their doctors do declaws everyday and said that they just did one last week.

5- River Heights Veterinary Hospital                                       Need a consultation appointment $47 before surgery scheduled.
Employee asked, “Do you want 2 or 4 paws? 2 paw starting at $199.75 with 2 night stay.
Employee said they don’t use laser because of the difficulty with the paws healing.

 6- Green Bay Animal Hospital                                                Would need a consultation appointment. Employee said they don’t always do declaws and they like to suggest alternatives such as scratching post. A two paw declaw is around $200.

7- Danada Veterinary Clinic                                                        Would need a consultation appointment at $63 before any surgery scheduled. Employee asked, “Do you want a 2 or 4 paw?”  A 2 paw declaw is $410, 4 paw declaw is $480. Doctor uses the laser method.

8- All Cats Clinic, PC
Need consultation appointment first at $60. Employee said a 2 paw $310.36 which includes a supply of Yesterday’s News cat litter. Employee said their doctor uses the tourniquet & blade technique.

9- Washington Veterinary Medical Clinic in Washington   Employee said, “We do declaws and the sooner the better since the older one’s have a harder recovery.” They said that their vet does declaws regularly and uses a scalpel. They said that he usually does the declaws in separate surgeries and not with a spay, but that it depends. They said that a 2 paw declaw is $280.

10- Cat Hospital of Chicago (Also an AAHA hospital)           Need consultation appointment $68 before surgery scheduled. 2 paw declaw is $1300 to $1400 which includes 2 weeks of pain management . Employee said not all their doctors would do all 4 paws, they use the laser method because of better healing. This is the practice of the 2016 AAFP President Dr Colleen Currigan. She is in the AVMA’s declawing video at the 2.40 minute mark. [button href=”http://www.citythekitty.com/american-veterinary-money-association-deception-for-profits/” newwindow=”yes”] AVMA Declawing video and story[/button]

11- Downers Grove Animal Hospital & Bird Clinic                     A 2 paw declaw is $606.61 and 4 paw $717.16. Employee said they do a lot of declaws with no problems.

12-Wheaton Animal Hospital in Glen Ellyn                             After researcher asked for the price of a spay and said they are a first time cat owner and is there anything else that people have done or that they recommend to have done for their cats and employee said, “You can get a nail trim or microchip.”

Researcher asked for a price of a declaw. Employee asked, “Were you interested in just a 2 paw or 4?” They said a spay and 4 paw laser declaw is $468 and a 4 paw laser declaw is $321. They have 4 doctors and they do them regularly and said, “We do get a few declaws each week.”

13- Lincolnshire Animal Hospital                                        Employee said a declaw is between $225 to $300 with a 2 night stay. Doctor uses a scalpel.

14- Heartland Animal Hospital- [button href=”http://www.citythekitty.com/gold-standard-cat-friendly-practice-highest-excellence-veterinary-hospital-declawing-3-month-old-kittens/” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Story about a Heartland Animal Hospital declawing video[/button]

15- Indian Prairie Animal Hospital                                          They said that you need to make an exam to see if the cat is healthy enough to have the declaw procedure.

16- Ancare Veterinary Clinic, PC
Researcher asked for the price of a spay and declaw. Employee asked, “Are you doing the front?”  They said it’s cheaper to do the spay and declaw together.  A spay/ 2 paw laser declaw is $523. They said their vet does declaws regularly.

17- Animal Wellness Center of Monee                                        A declaw is around $400 and they use a scalpel.

18- College Station Cat Clinic                                                  Must have initial exam first and be current on vaccinations which could run up to $190.  Employee asked if researcher wanted a 2 paw or 4 paw. A two paw declaw is $386.44 and they use a scalpel.

19- Animal Clinic at New Lenox                                               After researcher asked for the price of a spay and if there’s anything else they recommend or that people get for their cats, employee said, “If you are thinking of declawing then you can do it at the same time.”   A spay/declaw is $294 plus $89 for blood work and they use a scalpel.

20- Metropolitan Veterinary Center Chicago                  Researcher asked for the price of a spay and then asked if they do declaws. Employee said yes they do and that they recommend doing them at the same time as the spay. Employee asked, “Would you want all four paws or just two?”  A 4 paw declaw and spay is around $757. They said they use a scalpel and that all their doctors do declaws regularly.

21- Mahomet Animal Hospital                                         Employee said they do declaws but that you have to make an exam because they are a Cat Friendly and certified low stress hospital so legally they have to tell you the options like Feliscratch and how the procedure goes. After the exam, if you still want to get the declaw done, then you can. The employee asked, “Were you looking to do just the front feet?” Researcher said all four, and they said an all four feet declaw and spay is around $375 and their vet uses a scalpel.

22- Hoffman Estates Animal Hospital                             Researcher asked if they do declaws and employee said they do declaws as long as they cat is under 1 year old. Employee asked if researcher wanted a price for an all 4 paw declaw and said a 4 paw declaw and spay is $798.57 but then said they made a mistake, they have a combo price for both and that is $577.50.

23- North Shore Family Pet Hospital   (Also an AAHA hospital)          The employee said that they can do declaws but that they don’t like to do them a lot and they prefer not to do them. They said if there’s a way to get around doing them, they will, and say it is removing the last knuckle. They mentioned nail trims as an alternative and said an exam cost $35 and the doctor will talk about other options.

Researcher asked about a price for a declaw, employee said, “just the front is $130, just the back is $160, and all four paw declaw is $235. ” They said you need to make an appointment to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedure. They said that Dr Bannow does the declaws and she is very familiar with cats and loves them.

Link- [button href=”http://northshorefamilypet.com/veterinary/pet-spay-neuter-surgery.php” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] North Shore Family Pet website with declaws after spay/neuters[/button]

24- Whitney Veterinary Hospital in Peoria                                                      After researcher asked for the price of a spay and said that they are a first time cat owner and is there anything else that people have done or that they recommend to have done for their cats and employee said, “Like a declaw?” Researcher said they would like a price for a declaw and employee said they do 2 paw or 4 paw declaws.

A 4 paw declaw/spay is $537.90. A 2 paw declaw/spay is $509.90. They said that they have 4 vets who do declaws regularly. They said you need to schedule an exam to make sure the cat is healthy enough for the procedures. When asked if there are any long term negative problems after a declaw and they said the paws will be temporarily sensitive for a period of time and that it is extremely unlikely that there will be any permanent damage or disfigurement.

 25- Mid North Animal Hospital in Chicago                Researcher asked for the price of a spay and then if they do declaws. Employee said, “We can do a declaw as well at the same time.” They only do front paws and a spay/declaw is $923- $1024. Their vet uses a laser and they said it helps with their recovery and is less bleeding. They said their vet does a declaw around once or twice a month. They said you need to schedule an exam to make sure the cat is healthy enough for the surgeries and to go over any concerns you might have.

26-Pet Wellness Center of Southern Illinois in Effingham

They said, “We usually just do the front but if you want all four you have to see a doctor.” They said you don’t have to have an exam for a 2 paw declaw, their 2 vets do them all the time, and they use the clippers to do the declaws.                 

27- Family Pet Animal Hospital                                                 Must have exam ($69) first, doctor will quote cost but will suggest other options first like scratching post, they declaw as a last option because it’s very painful. I asked what technique her doctor used, the employee said “kinda like little scissors.”

28- Bethany Animal Hospital in Sycamore                     Employee said that just the front claws is $443 with a spay. They said that they do a fair amount of declaws and quite a few throughout the year. They use a laser and said they heal a lot easier. A four paw declaw and spay is $492

29-West Loop Veterinary Care in Chicago                             Their voice recording said they are members of AAFP, AAHA, AVMA, and IVMA.

They said that a spay and 4 paw declaw is around $1300 and a 2 paw spay and declaw is around $849-980. Researcher asked if their doctors do declaws regularly and employee said yes.

 30- Bellson Animal Hospital in Columbia                             They said that you have to get a $45 exam to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedures. They said they do declaws but they don’t recommend them because they are painful and if the cat gets out they have no defenses. They said that their 3 doctors do declaw and can do it at the same time as the spay.

31- Clyde’s Animal Clinic in Mattoon                              Employee said that a spay and 2 paw declaw is $235 and a spay and 4 paw declaw is $250. They said it is $85 extra for a laser declaw and there is “less pain, less swelling, less time for recovery, and smoother.” They said their vet does declaws often and that long term the cat would be ok.

32- Naperville Animal Hospital in Naperville                                                   After researcher asked for the price of a spay and said they are a first time cat owner and is there anything else that people have done or that they recommend to have done for their cats and employee said, “The only other thing is if you wanted a declaw.” A 2 paw declaw and spay is $329 and just a 2 paw declaw is more at $331.   Employee said their vet is good at them and she does them regularly. It costs $165 more for a laser declaw and they said that a laser declaw is less invasive, less bleeding, it doesn’t hurt , and there’s less infection.

33) Blum Animal Hospital                                                                                                        The employee said that they do declaws as a last resort and the vet will discuss other options in the exam and make the best recommendations. They use a scalpel for their declaws.

34-Skycrest Animal Clinic
Employee said “they haven’t done a declaw in awhile.” An exam & 2 paw declaw is $550. Employee said they use “old school scalpel”.

35) Teegarden Veterinary Clinic PC in Washington                After the researcher asked for the price of a spay and said they are a first time cat owner and is there anything else that people do or that they recommend to have done for their cats and employee said, “Some people do a declaw at the same time.”   Researcher asked for the price of a declaw and the employee asked, “Just a front declaw?”

A spay and 4 paw declaw is $460 and a 4 paw declaw is $380-$400. They said that they have two doctors who do declaws and they use a scalpel and that they do them all the time. They said you have to have an exam for the cats that cost $49.85 to see if they are healthy enough for the procedures.

 Illinois No Declaw Practices

36- Your Pets Wellness                                                             They do not declaw cats and their employee said their doctors, “don’t like to do them anymore, they suggest clipping the nails and using nail caps.”

37- Northern Illinois Cat Clinic                                                  They do not declaw. Offered to make a consultation appointment to address other options. Employee mentioned nail caps.

38- Hope Veterinary Care in Springfield                                  They do not declaw cats. Employee said that declawing is so hard on a cat because you are taking off appendages and they can have ghost pain and arthritis. They said they can help with other options and mentioned trimming nails and Soft Paws. They said that the recovery from a declaw is long and the cats often become more aggressive and bite. They said that the declaws are for the cat owners benefit and not for the cat’s benefit.

 CAT FRIENDLY Practices in Iowa

1-Scott Country Animal Hospital

Researcher asked for the price of a declaw. Employee asked, “Are we doing the front or all four?” They said that all their doctors do declaws regularly, they use a scalpel, and an all 4 paw declaw is around $450.

2- Adel Veterinary Clinic

Researcher asked for the price of a declaw and employee asked, “Do you just want a declaw? They said they usually do 2 or 4 paws and a 2 paw declaw is $427.75. A 4 paw declaw is $448.05. They said that their 3 vets use a scalpel and they do declaws all the time.

3- Avondale Veterinary Healthcare Complex

Employee asked, “Do you want the 2 way or 4 way?” They said that they use a laser, all their vets do declaws regularly, and a 4 paw declaw is $443.02.

4- Purr-sonal Care Cat Clinic- More about this practice [button href=”http://www.citythekitty.com/declawing-a-cat-is-not-cat-friendly/” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Purr-sonal Care Cat Clinic story[/button]  [button href=”https://www.facebook.com/PurrSonalCareCatClinic/photos/a.154446121321139.32045.136049939827424/429244647174617/?type=3&theater” newwindow=”yes”] Facebook post of a declawed kitty[/button]  

 5- Animal Doctors Veterinary Clinic                                            A declaw for a cat over 6 months is $172.90 and they say that they don’t recommend 4 paw declaws but they will do them. A four paw declaw is $262.67. They said that all their doctors perform the declaw procedure and that they do them regularly. They use a scalpel.

6- Ingersoll Animal Hospital

Employee asked if the price is for 2 paws or 4 paws. A 4 paw declaw is $375, all four vets do declaws regularly, and they use a scalpel.

7- Heartland Animal Hospital

Employee asked, “Are you looking for 2 paws or 4?” A 4 paw laser declaw is $270 and they said all their vets do declaws regularly.

8- Pipestone Veterinary Service.                                    Researcher asked for the price of a declaw and employee asked if they wanted a two paw declaw.

Employee said you have to have an exam first with a doctor who will go over everything with you and the pros and cons of declawing and then you can decide. They said they have done 4 paw declaws.

9-Taylor Veterinary Hospital

They said that you have to have an exam to talk to a doctor first because there’s lots of controversy about declawing. They said that if you talk to the doctor and you want to do the declaw, then you can still get it done.

10- Kimberly Crest Veterinary Hospital

Employee said that they are an AAHA hospital which means they follow protocols. A 4 paw declaw by scalpel is $1196. Employee said that you can try trimming the cat’s nails or scratching posts or Feliway if you want.

11-Animal Care Clinic West and Metro Cat Hospital

Employee asked, “2 paw or 4 paw?” A 4 paw laser declaw is $371. They said that their 3 vets do declaws regularly and that the older cats have more pressure on their toes so it takes longer to heal.

Cat Friendly Practices in Michigan

1) VCA Woodland Animal Hospital in Kentwood.

They said you have to bring in your cat for an exam and the doctor will determine the price for the declaw and if it is in the best interest to declaw. If everything looks good and the cat is healthy the employee said that the odds are in your favor that they will do the declaw.

2) VCA Allendale Animal Hospital                                          They said that they use a scalpel and over a year old is $300 and under is $270. They said they will do a 4 paw declaw with a doctor’s approval.

 3) Kentwood Cat Clinic in Kentwood (Same company as the next practice, Cat Clinic North.)

When the researcher asked for the price of a declaw the employee asked, “Just the front?”

If the cat is over 8 months you need an exam with the doctor so they can determine if a declaw is ok to do. Declaw is around $600 and they use a laser.

Another employee was asked about the Gold Preventative Care Kitten Plan w/Front Declaw Spay/Neuter. The employee said that yes a declaw is included and its usually done at age 5-6 months. They said that they use a laser and it is, “very nice for them.” They said the laser cauterizes and there is less risk of nerve damage, less risk of infection since it sanitizes the skin, there is quicker healing, and quicker recovery. They said their doctors are skilled at the laser declaws and have done a lot of them and do them regularly. They said that it is, “a lot easier on them when done as a kitten and they bounce back from it, just like kids do. “

4) Cat Clinic North in Grand Rapids

They have laser declaw listed on their website in their Preventive Care Gold Kitten Plan. It’s $75 enrollment fee and $69.95 a month. They said that you will need to go to their Kentwood location (Kentwood Cat Clinic) for the laser declaw and said it helps with healing. The employee said they are the type of clinic that tries to sway people away from a declaw because it is amputation of the digits. They mentioned some of the humane alternatives like scratching posts and nail trims but said if you want the declaw, they can do it.[button href=”http://www.kentwoodcatclinic.com/images/handouts/preventive-care-kitten-kentwood.pdf” newwindow=”yes”] Link to Preventative Care Plan for a Kitten with laser declaw[/button]

 5) Midland Animal Clinic

The employee asked, “ Are you just looking for 2 or 4 paws?” They use a scalpel and a 4 paw declaw is $221.

 6) Serenity Animal Hospital and Pet Resort in Sterling Heights

They need to see the cat first for a $45 exam to see if it’s healthy enough for the procedure. They only do 2 paw declaws and the cost is between $260-$405. They use a scalpel for the declaw procedure.

7) Cedar Creek Veterinary Clinic in Williamston

The employee asked, “Is it going to be 2 paw or 4?” They use a scalpel and the 4 paw declaw is $221

8) Exclusively Cats Veterinary Hospital in Waterford

You need to schedule an exam with a doctor to discuss the alternatives and it’s up to the doctor’s discretion if they will proceed with the declaw.

9) Cat Care PC of Rochester Hills
Their website says that declawing is a “Routine Surgery.”

10) Red Cedar Animal Hospital

Employee asked, “Are you looking for 4 paws or just 2?” A four paw declaw is around $412 and they use a scalpel.

11) DePorre Veterinary Hospital

Have to schedule an exam to discuss a treatment plan first before the declaw. They use a scalpel for the declaws. They are also a Fear Free practice.

 12) Wyoming Animal Hospital

They asked, “Do you need the front ones done?” A four paw declaw is between $320-350 and they use a laser.

13) Eastown Veterinary Clinic                                              Employee asked, “Are you looking for the front claws or all four?”  A 4 paw declaw for a 1 ½ year old cat is between $885-975 and they use a laser.

14) Rockford Animal Hospital                                          Employee asked, “Are you looking for the front 2 or all 4?” They said that a 4 paw declaw for a cat that is over 5 lbs is $298.80. Said they do laser therapy for up to a month depending on how they scar and the cat might have to be on steroids. They just suggest doing the front paws for bigger cats so they can have something to rest on.

15) Frankenmuth-Birch Run Veterinary Hospital   (Also an AAHA and FEAR FREE Hospital)                                    Employee asked, “Do you want just the front feet?” A 4 paw declaw is $289.50 and they use a scalpel.

 16) Ottawa Animal Hospital in Holland                               Employee asked, “Are you looking for the front feet or all four?” They use a scalpel and a 4 paw declaw is $521.

17) West Arbor Animal Hospital in Ann Arbor. (Also an AAHA Hospital)   They use a scalpel and only do front declaws. They cost $468.11. They say you have to get an exam for the cat and if it’s healthy enough for the anesthesia they can do the procedure the same day.

18) Columbia Animal Clinic in Brooklyn

Employee asked, “Are you looking for just the front or all four?” They use a laser and say an all 4 paw declaw is between $290- $320.

19) Kittys Doctor in Grosse Pointe Woods

They said you have to have an exam to see if the doctor would do the declaw and said they won’t declaw a cat over 1 year old because there or too many side effects like limping and behavioral problems. The employee asked, “Do you want a front declaw only?” A 2 paw declaw is $185 and an all 4 paw declaw is around $240

20) Animal Hospital in Livonia.

They use a laser to declaw and a 2 paw declaw is between $300 – $460. They say they typically just do 2 paw declaws unless there’s a health reason like severe diabetes or other health issues.

21) Animal Medical Center of Wyoming in Wyoming.

They say some doctors there use the scalpel and others the clippers. They say you have to have an exam to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedure. They said that they don’t advocate for declaws because it is painful and there are other options and they do it as a last resort. Employee asked if you wanted the price for a two or all four declaw. Price for a 4 paw declaw is $483. They said they have 6 doctors and all 6 do declaw procedures.

22) Bay Area Pet Hospital in Traverse City

They said they normally just do the front declaws and use a scalpel and it costs around $360. For a 4 paw declaw you have to ask the doctor and sometimes they can do it but they prefer to just do the front paws.

23) Gull Lake Animal Hospital in Richland

They asked, “Do you want just the front or all four?” They use a laser and an all four declaw is around $400. They said they do declaws regularly.

24) Oakland Hills Veterinary Hospital in Troy (Also an AAHA hospital)

They said that their vets use a scalpel and they’ve done quite a few declaws. You have to get an exam first for the cat to get a price for the declaw. They said both vets do declaws.

25) Northern Michigan Veterinary Hospital in Williamsburg

The employee asked, “just the front?” They say that Dr Peck surgically removes the nail. A 4 paw declaw is $440. They said they do around one declaw a week.

26) Harborfront Hospital for Animals in Spring Lake

The employee asked, “ just the front declaw?” They use a laser and a 4 paw declaw is $390. They said you have to schedule an exam to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedure and if it is then they can do the procedure that day.

27) Cascade Hospital for Animals  and 28) Breton Village Animal Clinic

CASCADE HOSPITAL IS ALSO AN AAHA HOSPITAL

(These two clinics are the same company. Their website says that they are the largest facility for small animal care in metro Grand Rapids and they have a large staff) 3 different employees gave the following information.

The researcher asked for the price of a spay for a cat and the employee asked, “Are we also doing a 2 paw declaw?” Employee said that they use a laser which is safer. They said that all 12 vets do them and the declaws are a pretty common procedure there.

After the researcher asked for a declaw price the employee asked, “Is that for 4 paws or 2 paws?” A 4 paw laser declaw for a cat over 6 months is $491-$521. The employee said that their vets are the brightest from vet school who rotate weekly on surgeries. They said that they consider declaws a regular and routine procedure. They said that the laser is less painful, quicker recovery, and less medications needed.

Researcher asked for the price of a declaw for a 6 month old and 1 year old cat and another employee asked, “Are we thinking just 2 paws or all 4 paws?” They said that an all four paw declaw is between $445-$475 and said you can bring the cats in and the doctor will exam your kitty to see if it is healthy enough to go under anesthesia and if they are, you can leave the kitties have the procedure done the same day. They recommend blood work but it isn’t mandatory. They said Dr Paplawsky does lots of the surgeries and they can schedule the appointment with him.

Here is an ad on google search, elocalprofiles, for Cascade Hospital for Animals.

29) Veterinary Care Specialists in Milford.

Employee asked, “Just the front declaw?” An all 4 paw declaw is around $215. They said you have you have to have a consult with the doctor first and under 6 months is ok but old is harder on the cat. They use a scalpel for their declaws.

30) Madison Veterinary Hospital in Madison Heights

Employee asked, “Two paw or four paw?” They use a laser and you have to have an evaluation by a doctor to get the 4 paw declaw.

31) River Rock Animal Hospital in Midland.

They said that a declaw is taking out the first digit and they try to find alternatives if possible. They use a laser and a declaw is around $400. As long as your cat is healthy enough for the procedure, they will do it.

32) Blackman Animal Clinic in Jackson

Researcher asked for the price of a declaw. Employee asked, “Front or all four?” They use a scalpel and a 4 paw declaw is $171.

33) Companion Animal Hospital in Traverse City

Employee was asked about their Companion Care Plan w/Front Declaw and Spay/Neuter. They said that they, “try to stay away” from doing declaws but if you’ve tried everything and are going to give it back to a shelter then they will do it. They said that it’s an amputation and there is always a chance that the cat will stand a little different. They said that all three of their vets do them regularly and have done multiples. They recommended Dr Rebecca De Simone for the declaw after researcher asked who the vet is that is most skilled at it.

Another employee said that they need to see the cat first and do declaws as a last option and want to discuss other options first. They use a scalpel to declaw.

Link to Companion Animal Hospital Care Plans with declaw [button href=”http://cahtc.com/companion-care-plans/” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Companion Care Plan with declaw[/button]

34) Animal Health Clinic in Fenton    They said that they don’t do declaws on cats over a year old.

35) Town Center Veterinary Associates in Howell                 They use a scalpel and a 2 paw declaw is $470.

36)  Grayling Hospital for Animals in Grayling                          A two paw declaw for a cat over 1 year old is $209.40. They have two vets and one uses a scalpel and the other uses a clipper. They said that both vets do declaws quite regularly.

NO-DECLAW CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICES IN MICHIGAN

37) Red Barn Cat Clinic in Richland.

They don’t declaw cats. They said that you can have a free exam and they can go over other humane alternatives to declawing and information about it.

38) Cat Doctor of Monroe

They don’t declaw cats. They say they believe in alternatives like Soft Paws and scratching posts, there’s proof that it’s bad for a cat, they’ve had to repair the paws of declawed cats.

39) Veterinary Health Center in Saginaw

They don’t declaw cats. They said that they send cat owners home with brochures about it and the alternatives. They said that AAFP doesn’t recommend declawing.

 40) Cats Veterinary in Clinton Township

They don’t declaw cats. They say it’s not good medicine to do them and that it hurts cats and doesn’t help them. They say that research and science and studies show that it can cause chronic pain, behavioral issues, and by nature a cat is not supposed to walk like that. Too many risks

41) Family Pet Practice in Waterford

They don’t declaw cats. They said that it can cause physical and behavioral problems for cats. They see a lot of declawed cats with arthritis. They said they can help with nail trims, soft paws, and other options. They said the owner of a declawed cat was going to euthanize the cat because of medical and behavioral problems so they took in the kitty as their clinic cat.

42) Arbor Pointe Veterinary Hospital-  Also an AAHA Hospital

They don’t declaw cats. They said declawing is unethical and causes behavioral and neurological issues. They said it causes arthritis and other issues.

43) Riverside Cat Hospital 

They don’t declaw cats. They said it is removing the last digit and it can lead to nerve damage and is painful. They said there are other options like nail trims, nail caps.

NEBRASKA CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICES

1- 24^th Street Animal Clinic

A 2 paw declaw is between $125-$155 their doctors use a scalpel and the employee said that all their doctors do declaws regularly and that it’s a normal thing they do.

 2- Ridgeview Animal Hospital in Omaha

Employee said all their vets do declaws once or twice a week or more. A two paw declaw for a cat that is under 8 lbs is $254 and over 8 lbs is $300.  A 4 paw declaw for a cat under 8 lbs is $305.

New Jersey Cat Friendly Practices

1) VCA Allenwood Animal Hospital

Researcher asked for the price of a declaw and the employee asked, “How many paws were you looking for?” They said you need to schedule an exam to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedures, their 3 doctors use a scalpel for the declaws, and the employee said they do them very often.

2) Carnegie Cat Clinic Inc. in Princeton. AAHA hospital and Gold level Cat Friendly practice.

The employee said that you have to make an exam first to see if your cat is healthy enough for the declaw procedure. They said that two doctors do the declaws and Dr Terry does them pretty frequently.” They don’t use laser and employee didn’t know if it was a clipper or scalpel.

3) Animal Hospital of Sussex County

They said that their vet does declaws regularly, they are very painful, and sometimes the cats get a fever afterwards. They said a 2 paw declaw is around $500-$700.

 4) Oradell Animal Hospital

They declaw cats. Researcher asked for the price of a declaws and the employee asked, “Just the two or four?” Another employee said that a lot of vets don’t do them but they still do declaws and it might be banned in New Jersey. A two paw declaw is $196 and that doesn’t include the exam and blood work.

5) Red Roof Fort Lee Animal Hospital
Employee said that you need to schedule an exam to see if the cat can be fixed by behavior management and the doctor will discuss the options with you. They mentioned that they respect the patient and ask why would the cat need that surgery. The employee said the cats become handicapped after the declaws.

Another employee said that you have to come in for exam and if the cat is healthy enough then they can do a neuter/declaw. Researcher asked if they can do the neuter/declaw at the same time and the employee said, “of course.”

6) Berkeley Veterinary Center in Bayville- Gold Level

They declaw cats and a spay/declaw is $1072.42. The employee said that both vets are very good at declaws but they don’t do them “super often.”

7) Cats Exclusive Veterinary Hospital Gold level practice

This hospital was surveyed in my 2016 New Jersey declawing study. Here are the results: Declaw is $826.   Declaw/neuter/microchip pain meds is $981 including Purina’s Yesterday’s News cat litter, that you need to use for a week they say.

When asked if their doctor was skilled at declaws, employee said, “Dr Pla definity does a whole bunch of those” and they go home the same day, they don’t go home with any bandages, and they say they send you home with Purina’s Yesterdays News. They said that he uses a laser and it , “cauterizes the nail as it cuts through it,  there should be less bleeding, no bandages, and quicker recovery time.”   When asked if the doctor takes the nail, they put me on hold and came back and said, “Basically if you look at your finger, it’s from the nail to the first knuckle which is a small part of the bone.”Cat owner said they read stories online that scared them but they thought if they were true, then veterinarians wouldn’t do them if they were harmful to my cats. Employee said,”Yea, he does quite a few of those.” Asked if there are any problems with declawing, “no we haven’t seen any.”

8) St Francis Veterinary Center in Woolwich Township

They said that you need to make an appointment with a doctor to examine your cat and have a consultation about the declaw and it is determined on a case by case basis if they will go ahead with your cat’s declaw. More about this Cat Friendly and AAHA practice in a story I did last year about them. [button href=”http://www.citythekitty.com/why-do-declawing-vets-keep-playing-the-cyber-bullying-victim-card/” color=”red” newwindow=”yes”] Saint Francis story[/button]

New York Cat Friendly Practices

1) Colonial Veterinary Hospital in Ithaca

They don’t declaw cats and said it’s not something they recommend and it’s a painful procedure.

2) Pleasant Valley Animal Hospital

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said that it’s not a procedure that’s done much anymore because it’s a form of mutilation since it is removing the cat’s toes.

3) Amherst Small Animal Hospital

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said that most vets don’t do declaws anymore. They said it’s the amputation of the cat’s toes and they recommend other alternatives like scratching posts.

4) Creature Comforts Animal Hospital in Poughkeepsie- Gold level

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said it is against hospital policy as a Cat Friendly practice.

5) Briar Patch Veterinary in Ithaca- Gold Level

They do not declaw cats. They said it is actually quite painful and involves removing the first digit on the cat’s paw.

6) Cayuga Veterinary Services in Auburn- Gold level

Employee said that they generally don’t do declaws and don’t recommend it. They recommend trimming their nails and teaching them to scratch in other places. They said you can make an appointment with a doctor to discuss it and they do around one declaw a year. A spay declaw is $466-536.

7) Four Paws Animal Hospital

 Employee said that their doctor isn’t comfortable doing declaws and it’s not the most humane procedure since it is taking off the last bone in the cat’s paw. They said that on rare occasions they might do it if there is an owner with an auto-immune problem or the cat might lose its home but they recommended finding another practice since the doctor isn’t comfortable with doing declaws.

 8) Newburgh Veterinary Hospital – AAHA hospital

The employee said they do front declaws and can do it at the same time as the spay. A spay/front declaw is $340 and they use a scalpel. The employee said that they don’t do a ton of them because people don’t ask for them as much anymore. They said a declaw is painful so the cat stays overnight.

9) The Cat Doctors

They said that you have to come in for an exam to discuss the alternatives and that a declaw can be traumatic for the cat. They said that they don’t do too many anymore but that if the person has medical issues, they are sensitive to those needs. A declaw/spay is $800 and they use a scalpel. They suggest if you want a laser declaw you can go to Fairport Animal Hospital which is an AAHA hospital. (On Fairportanimalhospital.com it says, “Our surgeons not only perform spay and neuter procedures, we also carry out; cruciate surgeries, tumor removals, declaws, exploratory surgeries, remove bladder stones, cesarean sections and necessary reconstructive surgery. This is just a short list of the surgeries we can perform.”

10) The Animal Hospitable

They declaw cats but said that the doctor doesn’t like to do them. They said you have to schedule an exam and the doctor will go over the benefits and risks of the declaw. They said if the cat is healthy enough after the exam then they can do the declaw.

 11) Animal Medical of New City

Employee said that they can do a declaw at the same time as a spay. They said that they have a disclaimer and you have to have an exam to have a conversation about declawing with the doctor. They said there are so many options to declawing and it’s a radical procedure, like amputating the last part of your fingers, and the cats have to live with that for the rest of their lives.

 12) Fairmount Animal Hospital

They do declaws but said you have to have it approved by a doctor in an exam. They said that a spay/declaw is around $500 and that they don’t do many declaws.

 13) Just Cats Veterinary Clinic Guilderland office GOLD level

The employee said their two doctors do declaws regularly and use a laser. A spay/declaw is $545.

14) Sand Creek Animal Hospital – Gold level in Albany

A spay/laser declaw is $745 and a laser declaw is $580. They said that the laser helps with the blood loss. They said it is not a simple procedure since they have to cut part of the toe and not just the nail.

CAT FRIENDLY PRACTICES IN OHIO

1) Ohio State University Veterinary Medical Center – Gold Level CAT FRIENDLY and AAHA hospital

They use board certified surgeons to do the declaws. A spay/declaw with a scalpel is $935-$1140. A spay/declaw with a laser is $1245-$1455. The employee said that they regularly perform declaws and it’s a personal choice. You have to have an exam for $140 to see if the cat is healthy enough for the surgeries.

2) Northwest Animal Hospital in Columbus

The employee said they have two vets who declaw cats quite regularly. They said that they use a scalpel and only do the front paws because the cats need their back claws in case they get out. They said that cats only scratch furniture with their front claws. A spay/declaw is around $700.

3) Norwalk Veterinary Medical Center

They don’t give out prices for procedures on the phone.

You have to have an exam for $49 to see if the cat is healthy enough for the procedures. They do declaw procedures and don’t use a laser.

4) Town and Country Veterinary Clinic

A spay and 2 paw declaw is $395. A 2 paw declaw is $383. The employee said, “We do declaws all the time.” They use a scalpel.

5) Avery Animal Hospital

Researcher spoke with a vet tech who said all of their 4 doctors do declaws, they use a scalpel, and said they are good at them. They said that they don’t do them frequently anymore. When asked if there are any problems with the declaw the vet tech said typically no but that some cats do limp.

6) Cats Only Veterinary Clinic

When asked for a price for a spay and then asked if they do declawing also, the employee said they do declaws and recommend doing them at the same time as the spay. They said their vet does multiples declaws and normally uses a radio surgical unit which they said is way more accurate, it cauterizes which makes less bleeding, and cuts the healing time. A spay/declaw is $910.

7) Purrfect Cat Care Feline Medical Center

Employee said that they don’t recommend declawing. They use a laser to declaw. They said that recent studies show that declawing does more harm than good. They said you have to have an exam and the doctor will go over other options and decide what’s best. They said that usually the only options where they will do it is if there is an immune-compromised person.

8) Bigger Road Veterinary Clinic of Springboro

They said they can do the declaw at the same time as the spay and asked, “ Would you just want to do the front?”

Researcher asked to do all four paws and the employee said, “Typically we just recommend the front paws.” They said if you are worried about the cat scratching furniture then just do the front declaw. They said their vets use a laser and it reduces pain and helps with healing time, all of their vets have done many declaws, and they don’t do as many as they used to because people are “phasing that out.” A spay/laser declaw is around $700.

9) Animal Clinic of Chardon – AAHA

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said that declawing is a “very, very invasive procedure and it’s the removal of the first digit.” They said that being a Cat Friendly practice, they recommend cat trees, pheromones, and behavioral counseling. They said that you can deter the scratching in the area you don’t want and then redirect it in other areas. They said that after they stopped offering it some of their clients went to other practices to have their cats declawed and the cats died after the procedure. They said that being Cat Friendly and declawing cats don’t go hand and hand.

10) North Royalton Animal Hospital – AAHA

They don’t do declaws and said they believe that there are other ways to deal with behavioral issues than declawing.

11) Just Cats Hospital in South Euclid

Researcher spoke with the vet, Dr Pizzuli, who said they don’t do declaws. She said that it has been proven to cause behavioral problems and long term pain and many are taken to shelters because of . She said a paper came out from AAFP that showed these issues with declaws and they didn’t want to contribute to those problems. Dr Pizzuli said that they are happy to help with any issues in regards to scratching issues.

CAT FRIENDLY Practices in Texas

1) VCA Park Cities Animal Hospital in Dallas

Employee was asked if they can do a declaw with a spay and said, “ We certainly are able to do the declaw.”

Declaw/spay is around $1000. They also give an antibiotic injection and send you home with Purina’s Yesterday’s News litter.

They said that they have 3 vets who do declaws relatively frequently and they use a scalpel.

They said that you can bring the cat in for an exam on the morning of the procedure. They said in 10-14 days the kitty is back to normal.

2) VCA Castle Hill Companion Animal Hospital

Employee said that they do declaws but their laser isn’t working so they currently aren’t performing them and aren’t sure if and when it will be fixed. Employee said, “If you do get it done, make sure it’s with a laser.”

3) Kelly Hill Country Animal Hospital

They said that they do declaws and there’s a little discount if you do it at the same time as a spay/neuter. A spay/ laser declaw is $681.

They said that their vet does them pretty regularly. They said that the laser is less painful, less swelling, and speeds up the healing process.

4) Kyle Animal Hospital

They said that you have to make an appointment for an exam and to see if the cat is a candidate for the declaw. They said that not all cats can be declawed. A declaw is $120-160.

5) Kitten to Cat Hospital in South Lake

They said that they do a laser declaw and their vet does a fair amount of declaws. A spay/declaw is $805. They said that they only do declaw with spay/neuters and usually in 14-21 days the cat will be healed.

6) Riverchase Animal Hospital

The spay/declaw is $518. They said that both doctors are experienced at declaws, they use a scalpel, and they do them regularly.

7) Highland Park Animal Hospital

The employee said that a spay/declaw is $650-750. All of their vets do declaws but that Dr Dixon and Dr Vargo do the most declaws and are their cat specialists. They said that they surgically remove the nail where it meets the finger. They said that in 10-14 days the kitty will be back to normal.

 8) Lexington Blvd Animal Hospital

When researcher asked for the price of a spay/declaw, the employee asked, “Just the front two?” A spay/4 paw declaw is $724 and the cat will stay for 3 nights. They said their vet who does the declaws, Dr Stanley, is a feline specialist and she uses a scalpel for the declaws.

9) Northern Oaks Bird and Animal Hospital- AAHA

Employee said that a spay/declaw is $550. They said that either of their vets are good at the declaws. They said that the cat won’t have their claws there to do the damage and the cat usually doesn’t know anything has happened after the declaw. They use the guillotine clippers for the declaws and a laser for healing after the declaw.

 10) Advanced Pet Care of Clearlake

The employee said that their spay/declaw is $700-$750, their vet, Dr Rush uses a laser and does them regularly. They said that they use a laser and it cauterizes when it cuts and it helps with inflammation and they feel better. They said that there’s a vet tech surgery assistant helping and they have a good team. They give a pain injection which lasts 3 days and an antibiotic that lasts 2 weeks.

11) Bent Tree Animal Hospital

The employee said that a spay/declaw is $404.40, their vet, Dr Kimball uses a scalpel and does declaws regularly.

12) The Cats Meow Veterinary

Employee says that their vets do laser declaws regularly. A spay/declaw is $585, the cat won’t have to have bandages, the laser takes off the claws so that there’s no bleeding, and they use 3 different modes of pain meds.

 13) Perky Paws Pet Hospital

The employee said that a spay/declaw is $305 and their vet, Dr Farmer, uses a scalpel. They said that she’s a Cat Friendly doctor and has extra skills when it comes to cats.

They said a declaw is the same as chopping off a finger and the cat will have to stay overnight. They recommend getting the pain medication for $48 but it is optional.

 14) Zippivet in Austin

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said that it’s not a good practice to declaw cats and that it’s horrible because it’s cutting off the ends of their little toes. They said to look it up and read about it. They said it can cause arthritis and pain for the rest of their life. Also, the cat has to go through pain for weeks from the procedure. Employee said that they don’t know of any vet in Texas that will do it. They talked about the alternatives like getting scratching poles and a product called Feliscratch which directs the cat to scratch on the appropriate things.

15) Feline Medical Center in Houston

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said that they stopped because it causes the cats a lot of long term issues like arthritis and behavioral issues. They talked about the alternatives like nail trims, soft paws, and giving the cats the appropriate scratching options. They said that they can help with tips and training if needed.

16) Metro Paws Animal Hospital in Dallas

They don’t declaw cats. The employee said that they advise against it and their vets aren’t comfortable doing them. They talked about the alternatives like getting proper scratching posts.

17) VCA Oso Creek Animal Hospital in Corpus Christie

The employee said that they no longer do them unless there’s a medical reason for the cat. Another employee said that they don’t declaw cats because it’s a company policy. They said that it’s a controversy because some people declaw their cats because they are scratching furniture or because they are aggressive.