The documentary is a thought-provoking exposé that challenges the ethical implications of declawing cats and calls for a nationwide reflection on our treatment of animals. Through interviews with veterinarians and activists, the documentary unveils a powerful industry lobby that not only promotes but profits from this inhumane procedure.
MATTHEW CAREY: ‘American Cats: The Good, The Bad & The Cuddly’, a documentary premiering at the Hot Docs film festival, explores our love of the cute quadrupeds. But beneath the film’s furry exterior lurks a more serious message: given our collective love of felines, why are we subjecting them to painful and unnecessary surgeries? The answer: $$.
In the exclusive trailer above, the film’s host Amy Hoggart (Full Frontal with Samantha Bee), asks the following: “How much money is there in declawing cats?” The reply from Dr. Jennifer Conrad, veterinarian: “Some estimations are is that it’s a billion dollars a year business.”
The film is directed by Todd Bieber, Emmy-nominated supervising producer-director of Full Frontal with Samantha Bee and produced by Grace Leeson, also a Full Frontal veteran. It features the participation of Dr. Conrad, founder of the Paw Project, described as “the world’s largest nonprofit entirely dedicated to ending the cruel practice of declawing.”
The Humane Society of the United States says, “Declawing is the amputation of the last bone of each toe on a cat’s paw,” adding, “It would be like cutting off your finger at the last knuckle.” The ASPCA, meanwhile, declares it is “strongly opposed to declawing cats.”
“Through interviews with veterinarians, activists, and pet owners, the documentary unveils a powerful industry lobby that not only promotes but profits from this inhumane procedure,” notes a synopsis of American Cats. “As Hoggart navigates the maze of misinformation, she discovers the profound physical and psychological effects declawing has on our feline friends. American Cats is a thought-provoking exposé that challenges the ethical implications of our choices and calls for a nationwide reflection on our treatment of animals. And also lots of jokes and cute kittens”…
According to information from the filmmakers, “New York and Maryland are the only states that ban declawing without loopholes. Declawing is illegal is many U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Denver, Madison, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Tacoma, and Washington, DC.” In 2004, West Hollywood’s city council banned declawing, making it the first American city to prohibit the procedure. SOURCE…
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