It is illegal to declaw a cat in the Netherlands. It is considered cruelty to animals. Apparently they haven't heard of the new laser treatment which is virtually pain free. Our new kitten will be an indoor-only cat and to save her and us a lot of hassle trying to curb her natural instincts to claw at things we want to get those pesky things removed. This actually seems the kinder thing to us and a prime example of how basic values shape culture and the kinds of things which can make cultures clash.
Our original plan was to take her back on furlough and get her spayed and declawed during that time. When we checked the airline fees to take her, we found what had once been reasonable has become more than the ticket for a human being to fly!
So we were thinking of alternate ideas. Our first thought was to drive to Germany one day and get her declawed there, if it was possible to do so. Our conversation around the lunch table yesterday makes me think it is unlikely.
Yesterday our coworkers gathered together for lunch to celebrate a birthday among us. Some of the conversation steered around to our new kitten. As we talked about various things - like what will you do with her in furlough, we mentioned our original plans and our desire to get her declawed. Only the Americans at the table had even heard of this procedure. Even the gal from New Zealand was shocked at the concept.
Hmmmm, we shall have to fall back and regroup.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Cat's Claws
It is illegal to declaw a cat in the Netherlands. It is considered cruelty to animals. Apparently they haven't heard of the new laser treatment which is virtually pain free. Our new kitten will be an indoor-only cat and to save her and us a lot of hassle trying to curb her natural instincts to claw at things we want to get those pesky things removed. This actually seems the kinder thing to us and a prime example of how basic values shape culture and the kinds of things which can make cultures clash.
Our original plan was to take her back on furlough and get her spayed and declawed during that time. When we checked the airline fees to take her, we found what had once been reasonable has become more than the ticket for a human being to fly!
So we were thinking of alternate ideas. Our first thought was to drive to Germany one day and get her declawed there, if it was possible to do so. Our conversation around the lunch table yesterday makes me think it is unlikely.
Yesterday our coworkers gathered together for lunch to celebrate a birthday among us. Some of the conversation steered around to our new kitten. As we talked about various things - like what will you do with her in furlough, we mentioned our original plans and our desire to get her declawed. Only the Americans at the table had even heard of this procedure. Even the gal from New Zealand was shocked at the concept.
Hmmmm, we shall have to fall back and regroup.
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