Educate & Advocate

Few issues divide the opinions of cat owners more than declawing. Most people know a family member, friend or co-worker who has declawed their cat to save their living room sofa from being damaged. Is surgical amputation that has no therapeutic benefit to an animal justifiable on the grounds of preventing damage to inanimate material possessions? The Nova Scotia SPCA, and animal welfare organizations around the world, say no. Declawing is an extreme approach to dealing with a common feline behaviour.  In several countries, declawing of cats is banned under animal cruelty laws.

What is Declawing?

When a cat is declawed, it is not simply their claws that are removed, but the entire first joint of their toes to which the claws are attached, including
bones and soft tissue. This is similar to amputating the first joint of a human’s fingers and toes. However, the result is even worse for a cat because they rely on all ten tips of their toes forbalance when walking. The pain and discomfort felt by declawed cats following surgery, and possibly lasting for the rest of their lives, may bring about undesirable behavioural changes. A cat may
stop using their litter box because it is uncomfortable or painful to dig. A once friendly cat may start biting during play or interaction because they are unable to comfortably swipe or use their claws. Declawing cats also limits their ability to
defend themselves during confrontations.

The good news is that there are many alternatives to declawing! For more information and educational pieces on declawing visit our animal care page here.

Each year the Nova Scotia SPCA introduces a unique topic and we request creative submissions of drawings that are displayed during our AGM where guests vote on their favourites. If you are interested in having your class participate in future contests please contact us at events@spcans.ca or call (902) 835-4798 ext 223 and we will work with your school to make that happen!

The Nova Scotia SPCA works with Elementary Schools and Girl Guides to develop the knowledge and understandings needed to create empathy, compassion, respect and justice for all the lives of animals.  The Nova Scotia SPCA is pleased to be working with Girl Guides of Canada to offer all Guiding levels a chance to participate.

Caring for Animals – Pawprints on Your Heart Challenge

The aim of this challenge is to promote awareness of the importance of caring for animals and the problems posed by unwanted and uncared for companion animals.

To earn the patch, you must complete 3 of the following activities in a manner appropriate to the unit level. Leaders are encouraged to contact the SPCA at info@spcans.ca. Request a visit to a SPCA Shelter or invite an SPCA Volunteer to a unit meeting to talk about the work of the SPCA.

• Discuss how you can be kind to animals
• Participate in the SPCA Poster Contest
• In small groups, make up and perform a skit that focuses on kindness to animals
• Discuss what care people must take to make sure their pets are safe, especially in really hot or really cold weather
• Learn about pet first aid or how to prepare your pets for an emergency
• Participate in an SPCA event, such as the Bark in the Park or Alley Cat Bowl
• Do some research about the history and work of the SPCA in Nova Scotia. Share the results with your unit.
• Discuss the importance of spaying and neutering pets
• Help the SPCA (ideas: make up a care basket of can cat or dog food or old towels; help at a Shelter or SPCA event)

To order your patches please provide the following information

• Name of Unit and contact
• List the three (or more!) completed challenges (comments welcome)
• Provide the number of Guides and number of Leaders to receive patch (If multiple units complete the challenge together please provide the information for each unit)
• Mailing address and phone number
• Photos because we love pictures! Only include photos if you have the proper releases for them.

Please fill out the form below to order your badges or request a visit