10/26/2026
The Battle Continues
If you’ve been following the page, you may recall the post I wrote on September 6. This is a follow up and the situation is still unresolved.
I had intended, and wished, to just make a single final post once the legal portion had been wrapped up.
I changed my mind, upon hearing through an anonymous tip today, that this same adopter has scheduled the remaining 4 cats to be 4 paw declawed TOMORROW.
It is taking every ounce of professionalism I have to put together this post in a way that does not reflect poorly on the Rescue as a whole, or damage existing relationships we have worked incredibly hard to build with several area vets. And these are vets we ADORE. It’s also worth mentioning that the only reason I can put together a coherent post regarding all of this is because I have taken steps to manage the severe mental health state I was in as of the September 6 post. The Rescue as an entity cannot sue for pain and suffering. As an individual, I believe I have a valid case for pain and suffering, with receipts. But all I want is our cats back WITHOUT BEING MUTILATED.
This person adopted 2 cats from us in April of 2026. She came to us as a prior adopter from 2020. She also had a stellar referral from her veterinary clinic. And, she responded to the question on our application that references declawing, by indicating it was not an option for her. We had absolutely no reason to decline this person adoption.
She returned in July of 2026 to adopt four additional kittens. Again, based on past experience with her, her financial ability to care for that many cats, glowing vet reference, and large home, we had no reason to decline her adoption. We thought we were sending cats off to an amazing wonderful loving home.
On September 3, she had the first pair 4 paw declawed at Family Friends Vet on 28th in GR. We also came to find out about that from an anonymous tip. We were unable to prevent the procedure from taking place despite calling the veterinary clinic directly. We will never use OR RECOMMEND this clinic again for numerous bad experiences ranging from serious competency concerns, to total insensitivity during a euthanasia, to this last most unethical handling of the declaw. They even had the audacity to send us a letter saying we aren’t welcome there anymore, after I spoke to an owner on the phone regarding this declaw case. Ma’am and Sir, I would not take an animal to you if yours was the last veterinary clinic in Kent County. I would drive to surrounding counties.
By September 11, I had secured legal representation for the Rescue based on breach of contract. The adopter was sent a letter of demand to return all six of the cats adopted from us this year. As is her right, she obtained her own attorney. And our two attorneys have been going back-and-forth for the last week.
Fully aware that there is PENDING LITIGATION, the adopter then scheduled the 4 kittens to be 4 paw declawed at Grand River Vet in Lowell, tomorrow 10/27. I called their clinic, our attorney sent them an email, and their only response was, “Hello, Our office will review the information provided.” Legally, they are not a party to the adoption contract which prohibits declawing. Ethically? Absolutely.
The Veterinarian’s Oath is something I always believed DVM’s took seriously. I have worked with many outstanding vets; technically skilled, amazing bedside manner, caring and compassionate vets that I DEPEND ON to run a quality rescue. Four paw declawing a cat, any declawing for that matter, is purely for the convenience of the owner, and in direct conflict with the veterinarian’s oath. There is also zero legitimacy to the old claim of, “well it’s declawing or the cat becomes homeless.” Ma’am and Sir, our rescue will take our cats back.
We only found out about these declaws through anonymous tips. Those people are my personal heroes. At risk of losing their job and retaliation from their employer, they have still done the right thing. Let it be known to everyone reading this that you will remain anonymous if you are ever helping our Rescue to look out for our cats. THANK YOU.
If you find four paw declawing to be particularly abhorrent and unethical, these are the vets we are aware who will do the procedure:
Family Friends Vet GR MI
Grand River Vet Lowell MI
Lori Dehlinger (years ago she four paw declawed an adult cat who had been adopted from us, that cat was later returned to us for litter box issues, with the unforgettable comment from the adopter that the cat was ‘defective’). Ma’am, it’s not the cat who was defective.
The best way to send a message is to remove your patronage and find a more ethical veterinary clinic to serve your pets with true compassion and care.
Lastly, I would like to make a very special mention to Cascade Hospital for Animals in GR. They were the Vet on record for this adopter, and they refused to do the declaws. At which point she went to Family Friends and now to Grand River. CHFA has done amazingly complicated cases for our rescue cats, we adore them as a clinic, and we couldn’t recommend them more. 👏
If those 4 kittens get declawed, I will never be the same. This case has brought me to my knees. I have done all I can to fight for the welfare of our cats.
Respectfully,
Gina Marvin
Founder and Director, Focus on Ferals
