Declawing cats is a very controversial subject matter, with a number of communities considering banning the procedure all together. But did you know that there is such a thing as laser declawing? It’s supposed to be more humane than traditional declawing surgeries. I don’t know about that.

Paw Nation spoke to Louise Murray, the director of medicine at the American Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. “The difference is that instead of using a metal surgical blade, [the vet] uses a laser to cut the tissue. It’s like using a lightsaber instead of a sword,” Murray told Paw Nation.

Either way, declawing is a painful procedure that removes the last joint of a cat’s toes, she said. The term “declawing,” makes it sound gentler than it is. “It really should be called digit amputation,” she added. “There is no way to make this not be a painful surgery.”

Not only is it horribly painful but the poor kitties can suffer from complications that can last long after surgery. Your kitty may feel phantom pain in their missing toes, or develop neuromas, swelling on the nerves that were severed during the surgery. And, Murray said, declawed cats often become moody and aggressive, and can turn to biting…

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Kobe has found his way home from the tough, dirty and lonely streets of LA. These words from Kobe’s new proud parent paint a thousand pictures. We hope you enjoy as much as we did!

“A little about Kobe and Shia… they are getting along great and playing all day long. I think Kobe misrepresented himself as being the perfect gentleman, as he has an extremely curious and mischievous nature. They are now doubling the mischief and have together:

* opened the kitchen trashcans and spread the contents all over the house,
* continued the hole that Shia started digging in the garden. I think they are aiming for the new tunnel across the Pacific.
* torn apart a teddy bear that was at least 4 feet up on the shelf.
* destroyed in half an hour a Kong toy that reads as “indestructible” on the attached advertisement. They must have been part of the company’s test crew. They won, the toy lost! They ate all the remaining parts of the toy as well, ball, cords and all!!!
* chewed up a pair of drumsticks that my son had left on the floor. They are just tidy!
* managed to reach a platter of cookies that was on the counter top in the kitchen. They have a fondness for snickerdoodles and thumb cookies, but left the plate and the plastic bag intact.

Shia has taught Kobe the benefit of the 10 minute massage in the morning, so they lie side by side on my bed until they get their fill of scratching, rubbing, stretching and all the works.

Other than that, they are more than friends and a couple of times my daughter and I asked them to “get a room!” as we had never, EVER, seen dogs make out before! You have to see it to believe it, I did not know dogs could french-kiss, but I will get you the pictures to prove it. Thanks to you and to your wonderful organization, Shia has found her soulmate and I could not be more happy.”

A Texas police officer pulled someone over for a routine traffic stop and was greeted by an overly-friendly kitten!  Check out this video of the officer trying to write a ticket while a little black kitten interferes! Video HERE.

A 20 pound wild turkey has been entertaining and frustrating drivers on the Jersey Turnpike for 3 weeks! He bugs toll collectors, sits on top of cars, plays in traffic and even held an animal control officer hostage in her own truck! Check out some videos taken by the captive officer HERE.

Titan, a 4-year-old Great Dane from San Diego is deaf, epileptic and partly blind…… and he’s just been named the World’s Tallest Dog (42.25 inches tall) by Guinness World Records! For complete story click HERE.

We are so incredibly happy to report that Alice (now Agnes) found the perfect home last weekend at the Best Friends Super Adoption event at the La Brea Tar Pits. This sweet and gentle little girl will now be loved and live out the rest of her life in comfort and security (something every animal deserves) instead of being cold and confused in a lonely kennel where she was abandoned to die by her previous owner. Poor Agnes was dumped at the shelter at the age of 13 when her owners decided that she was too old and too blind to keep around. Agnes, who is also diabetic, now shares her life with a new canine best friend with whom she enjoys sunbathing and a pair of moms that adore her. Have a wonderful life, precious little Agnes!

Title: Pet Adoption Event
Location: Pan Pacific Park – Hollywood 7600 Beverly Blvd., (corner of Gardner/Beverly Blvd.)
Description: Mobile Pet Adoption event at Pan Pacific Park – Great shelter dogs and AAA foster dogs and cats available for adoption on location! Find your new best friend and save a life!
Start Time: 11:00
Date: 2009-11-29
End Time: 16:00

A coalition of conservation groups, Native Americans, and Montana residents is suing the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service over the agencies’ role in slaughtering 3,300 wild American bison from Yellowstone National Park. The civil action for judicial review targets the U.S. Forest Service for failing to manage the Gallatin National Forest in a way that would allow for healthy populations of bison and other wildlife.  The coalition is asking the court to prevent the U.S. Forest Service and National Park Service from continuing to participate in, allocate funding for, or permit the slaughter of wild bison on public lands, including trapping for transport to slaughter houses and quarantine facilities.  The Yellowstone bison population includes America’s last continuously wild herds, and is the last bison population that still follows its migratory instincts. For complete story click HERE.

A 24-hour tip line and reward program targeted at eliminating dog fighting will be launched on Tuesday 11/17/2009. The program is said to be the first of its kind in the nation. Anyone providing information leading to the arrest or conviction of parties involved in dog fighting could receive rewards up to $5,000 with the identity of the caller to be kept anonymous. Tips can be given in English and Spanish and will be forwarded to law enforcement agencies for follow up and investigation. The Humane Society estimates that as many as 40,000 people follow dog fighting in the United States and more than 250,000 dogs suffer each year as a result of such activities. For complete story click HERE.