Companion Animal Welfare II

PROBLEMATIC PROCEDURES Ear cropping De-clawing Tail docking

Ear Cropping

Ear Cropping: ~ Illegal in 20 countries, mostly in Europe ~ AB bill to ban cropping in California up for vote by Assembly Supported by AVMA, CAMA Opposed by AKC ~ Primary purpose cosmetic ~ Ears highly vascularized, serious procedure

~ Done between 8 and 12 weeks ~ Removes large portion of the pinna, severs nerves, cartilage and arteries. ~ Remaining flaps must be taped and secured to rack or supports to create “prick ear”

Tail Docking

~ Also illegal in many countries ~ Variety of purposes - Tail bleeds serious health problem - Historic: Proof of taxes paid - Cosmetic - breed preferences ~ Usually done in first days of life, less serious procedure than cropping > problems with phantom pain? > decreases effective communication?

“ Pit Bull ” Problem ~ American Pit Bull Terrier: American Staffordshire Terrier? Staffordshire Terrier? Bull Terrier? ~ Up to 50% of population of some shelters ~ Originally bred as fighting dogs, were shot if aggressive to humans ~ Playful, strong, stamina, easily aroused.

Declawing Cats Cats

Declawing Onychectomy > Traditional: amputation of last digit > Permanent, effective > Recovery time: 90% recovered in 2 wks > Laser technique causes less blood loss

Declawing Tenectomy > Excise tendon only > Less initial trauma > Nails have to be trimmed > Lower owner satisfaction

Opponents: > Unnecessary suffering, short and long term > % with long term problems (20% lame after 2 months in one study) > Scratching is natural behavior > Increase in behavioral problems? Proponents: > Decreases surrenders to shelters > Improves H/A relationship > Reduces injuries to humans > Procedures now less painful

“ Scratching ” > Function is scent marking as much as nail grooming > Many alternatives to de-clawing: - appropriate scratching posts (sturdy, proper substrate) - training, nail trimming, nail caps

FERAL/FREE RANGING CATS ~ Not native ~ Fed cats still hunt ~ Universally agreed kill song birds/mammals How many? How many non-native? ~ Controversy over how control? ~ Reclassify so can shoot? ~ Trap, Neuter, Release

12 million caged birds in 6.9 million households

Social, intelligent -- need stimulation Must be trained (can be aggressive) Health/diet must be carefully monitored Still captured from wild (altho most serious challenge is native habitat degradation.

Social, intelligent -- need stimulation > Mental capacity of 5-6 year old child > Recall Alex and functional use of language > Emotional capacity of 2-3 year old child > Primary reason for abandonment = beh problems

Must be trained (can be aggressive and LOUD) > Can inflict serious injury > Highly vocal in wild > Some species more vocal than others

Health/diet must be carefully monitored

Still captured from wild > Estimated.25 to.5 million/year > Most serious challenge is native habitat degradation.

Exotic Fish > Wild caught or tank raised? > Major source of income in some areas of the world