Please consider declawing carefully

Buttercup is a declawed cat. She now has litterbox issues. Not serious, but enough that she ended up in rescue. We've discovered that she prefers to urinate on a fabric surface (like bedding) and will do so in a box if it's lined with bedding rather than litter. Is the related to her declawing? We can't say, but we do know this: Declawing can cause litterbox aversion. Cats that have been declawed spend the first few weeks walking on their painful paws. Every trip to the litterbox must be a new experience in pain. Imagine running your sore, swollen fingers through a pile of gravel! Perhaps the memory of that experience lingers to the point that any trip to the litter brings it back in painful detail.

The Frederick County (MD) animal shelter is considering changing their adoption policy to allow future adopters to declaw the cats and kittens they adopt. Most rescue groups and many shelters prohibit the procedure as part of their legally binding adoption contracts. Please take a moment to sign this petition and let them know that changing their policy is unacceptable and cuts to the heart of the phrase "animal welfare."

http://www.petitiononline.com/mc6984/petition.html

If you live in Frederick County, MD, please call your county representative and let them know you do not support this change in shelter policy. You have a voice. Use it to protect those who can't speak for themselves!

Sweet girl seeks conversation partner

My name is Gina and I have so much to tell you! I was adopted as a little kitten. I lived in a happy home for several years. I'm still not sure what happened, but I ended up back with AdvoCATs, seeking new companionship. Everyone here says that can't figure out why my first family gave me up: I'm very sweet and affectionate. I love people. I get along well with other cats. And I'm a stunning example of calico beauty!

Since I've been back at AdvoCATs, I've gotten to know the people and the other cats looking for homes. Everyone is very nice and really focused on finding loving, committed families. We work together to get to know these families, connect them to the right cats, and make sure the adoption process is as thorough, and as painless, as possible.

If you'd like to get to know me better, I promise I'll be gentle. And sweet. And cute. And with you for the long haul