Veterinarians Dealing With Animal Abuse

Forty-eight percent (48%) of a sample of 1000 veterinarians in the United Kingdom stated in a survey (2001) that they had suspected or seen cases of "non-accidental injury". This is a euphemism usually for animal abuse. The breakdown was 243 dogs and 182 cats. To me, that seems like a very high percentage.

In the United States, the American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says that in relation to animal abuse and neglect, the veterinarian has an obligation to report the matter to the authorities as soon as possible and to keep accurate records. The association also says that it is the responsibility of the veterinarian to "educate clients" with respect to the humane treatment of animals.

I wonder then why nearly all the veterinarians in the United States declaw cats when it is inhumane to declaw a cat 99.9% of the time. I am being generous in that figure. You could argue that it is inhumane 100% of the time.

I never read about vets educating cat owners on the subject of declawing alternatives. I am sure some do, but they will be few and far between. Why don't we see veterinarian websites with a page on alternatives to declawing? It would be in compliance with the obligations of a vet in the United States.

Associated: Vets in the USA who never declaw. Declawing cats.