Declawing/Defanging Animals Does NOT Make Them Safe
No big cat is ever safe, even if they have been declawed and defanged. Two painful attempts at making cats more manageable by humans, declawing and defanging causes an animal crippling pain. Often, shows perform these procedures to try and protect the public and trainers. They aren’t successful in doing much but causing pain and suffering for their exploited cats.
With declawing, the entire tip of the toe past the first knuckle is amputated. Cats walk on the tips of their toes, but when they are declawed, are forced to walk on their heels and ankles, displacing their weight to joints that are not meant to hold it in such a way. Declawing often leads to arthritis and other health problems. Sometimes, claws will grow back through the pad, rupturing the toe pad, and causing infection, pain and abscess.
With defanging, canine teeth are often pulled with pliers or filed down to the gumline, leaving the root exposed and the potential for infection and rot. Saber Tiger, a white tiger used in a magic show, was declawed and defanged before he was rescued and brought to Carolina Tiger Rescue. Eating was painful and difficult for him, so we worked to alleviate his pain by bringing in a dentist to do four root canals in a three-hour procedure. We continually monitor his teeth and monitor his pain levels.
How You Can Help: Avoid Wild Cats as Entertainment
There are many issues with wild animals being exploited for entertainment. As long as people buy tickets to these shows, animals will suffer.
You can help!
- Use your voice, and your dollar, to tell traveling shows that cruelty to animals is not entertaining.
- Avoid businesses that exploit wild animals for profit. Tigers and lions should not be handled or fed by the public or used as photo props.
- Speak up! Ask questions of business owners who claim they are protecting animals by using them as props.
- If you see abuse at a wild animal exhibition, please report that to the USDA – the agency tasked with overseeing animal care – and to your local animal control office.
Carolina Tiger Rescue is home to animals who are never on display and have the option to come up to the fence when tour groups arrive, or hide in denboxes if they aren’t feeling sociable. All animals receive daily enrichment- activities that stimulate their natural instincts, such as pools, balls and treats. We feed a whole-carcass diet of raw meat, as well as supplemental vitamins, to boost overall health and well-being. We do not breed animals, allow the public to pet animals and we never sell animals or their body parts. We are the only federally-accredited wild cat sanctuary in North Carolina and one of just two Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries (GFAS) accredited wild cat sanctuaries on the east coast.
