Regarding toilets. I use two large cat litterboxes; one has an opening cut
into the end (not the side) large enough for a fuzzy to enter. The other is
used to contain the ferret by-products. The slotted tray is placed upside
down over the litter-containing tray, forming a box-like structure, and
fixed in place with four 2" binder-clips; one at each corner.
Self-contained, spills, etc., are virtually eliminated, easy to clean, and
portable (really good on trips!) Its kind of comical to watch the beasties
do their thing; they always keep their head stuck out the door. And the
expresions...
One final word about declawing. (This is in response to two anonymous
e-mails flaming my earlier remarks. Come one guys; I'm a scientist and a
graduate student. I am also a self-confident and opinionated white male of
European extraction. I have been flamed publicly more times than I can
count, and by people I think of a as friends. Sometimes I'm right and
sometimes I'm wrong, but "truth" is discovered in public dialog. Anonymous
flaming mail is a coward's solution!)
[Moderator's note: To be fair, the anonymous posts were from people who
usually post anonymously. BIG]
The structure of a ferret's claw and a cat's claw is essentually the same.
Both are composed of a laterally-compressed bone (terminal or 3rd phalanx),
covered with tissue and a nail (claw). The same structure exists in all
mammals, including humans. The shape can be different, such as a horse
hoof, deer hoof, dog paw, or human finger, but the structure is basically
the same. The cat's claw has a greater lateral compression and is somewhat
shorter and more curved. It also retracts; that is, bends upward so the
tips of the nail don't dull as the animal walks. They are primarily used to
grip prey, defence and climbing. Ferret claws are longer, thicker, and
straighter. They are primarily used for digging and manipulation of
objects.
Declawing normally involves the amputation of the terminal phalanx; in
humans that would mean the tip of the finger is cut off at the last joint.
There are times such amputations are necessary; fungal or bacterial
infections are the most common reasons. To reduce pain and suffering, or
to save the life of any creature would justify such a procedure. There can
be other compelling reasons; Bast, my Japanese Bobtail, was declawed as
part of a legal settlement, and the equation was lose the fingertips or
lose the life of the cat.
Cats, and ferrets, will adapt to their "digital remastering." I was raised
on a farm where we watered our fields using ditches controlled by sluice
gates. My dog got a paw caught in a gate, cleanly amputating it at the
wrist. He adapted and lived a long healthy life; so would a human having
their fingertips removed. But there is a difference between the accidental
loss of a digit, or the removal of a digit to save a life or improve health,
and that done to reduce property damage or cosmetic reasons. Adaptation to
loss of function is not a justification for mutilation.
Think about it. The behaviors that are getting cats and ferrets into
trouble are instinctual. The structure and use of claws were determined
through natural selective processes over millions of years. It is as
natural for a ferret to dig or a cat to scratch as it is for a human to
think, speak, or use tools. No animal should be punished for doing what is
natural for it to do. As my dad used to say, "Don't pluck the bird for
flying."
I offer heartfelt apologies to anyone interpreting this as a flame; it is
not meant to be. Pets rarely have power or control over their lives;
everything is at the whim of the owner. I believe it is the
responsibility of of us all, and especially those trained in the sciences,
to advocate issues for them. Until an animal learns to get up and argue
their side of the issue, I will be their advocate, and argue passionately
from their point of view.
Bob
Moose, Stella, Daye, Tori, and Bear.
Stella says, "Stop talking and scratch my forehead. Ok, now my ears. My
neck...."
[Posted in FML issue 1359]
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