The Community Cats Podcast

Declawing: The Cruel Practice Hiding in Plain Sight featuring Dr. Jennifer Conrad, Founder, The Paw Project


Listen Later

“Empathy must guide us—if we truly feel for our feline friends, declawing wouldn’t exist.”

Declawing might sound harmless, but what if it’s one of the most misunderstood and harmful practices affecting cats today? In this powerful conversation, Stacy LeBaron chats with Dr. Jennifer Conrad, the trailblazing veterinarian behind The Paw Project, an organization on a mission to stop declawing for good. Dr. Conrad unravels the dark history of declawing, explaining why it’s less about trimming claws and more about amputating a cat’s defenses—both physically and emotionally.

With passion, relatability, and a wealth of knowledge, Dr. Conrad takes us into the billion-dollar industry that’s kept this cruel practice alive and shares how her team is taking the fight to the legislative level. You’ll learn how to spot humane veterinarians, advocate for change, and help your local community embrace more compassionate practices. Plus, don’t miss her insights in American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly, a new documentary from Amy Hoggart that exposes the shocking truths behind America’s relationship with its feline friends.

This episode will leave you informed, inspired, and ready to take action. Because when it comes to cats, they deserve nothing less than our claws-out advocacy.

Press Play Now For:

  • The shocking truth behind the billion-dollar declawing industry.
  • Why declawing is more accurately described as “de-knuckling."
  • How declawed cats are impacted both physically and behaviorally.
  • The legislative efforts behind banning declawing in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Why veterinarians who refuse to declaw are paving the way for a humane future.
  • Tips for advocating for humane veterinary practices in your community.
  • Insights into American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly, a documentary spotlighting America’s relationship with cats.

Resources Mentioned:

  • The Paw Project website. (www.pawproject.org)
  • Find no-declaw veterinarians near you. (https://pawproject.org/no-declaw-vets-directory/)
  • How you can advocate in your area. (https://pawproject.org/contribute/letter-writing-tips/)
  • American Cats: The Good, the Bad, and the Cuddly: A must-watch documentary exploring declawing and cat welfare. (https://youtu.be/b5acPbONnwU?si=i52Ug-Q9qHVrpo-U)
  • January, 2020 Episode with Dr. Jennifer Conrad (https://youtu.be/nA1RL1-DJiI?si=exVXAqrlUr65kUSr)

Follow & Review

We’d love for you to follow us if you haven’t yet. Click that purple '+' in the top right corner of your Apple Podcasts app. We’d love it even more if you could drop a review or 5-star rating over on Apple Podcasts(https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-community-cats-podcast/id1125752101?mt=2). Select “Ratings and Reviews” and “Write a Review” then a quick line with your favorite part of the episode. It only takes a second and it helps spread the word about the podcast.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

The Community Cats PodcastBy The Community Cats Podcast

  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9
  • 4.9

4.9

187 ratings


More shows like The Community Cats Podcast

View all
Radiolab by WNYC Studios

Radiolab

43,846 Listeners

This American Life by This American Life

This American Life

90,686 Listeners

Fresh Air by NPR

Fresh Air

37,890 Listeners

The Moth by The Moth

The Moth

27,060 Listeners

Stuff You Should Know by iHeartPodcasts

Stuff You Should Know

77,750 Listeners

TED Radio Hour by NPR

TED Radio Hour

21,904 Listeners

Criminal by Vox Media Podcast Network

Criminal

37,412 Listeners

Reveal by The Center for Investigative Reporting and PRX

Reveal

8,252 Listeners

Hidden Brain by Hidden Brain, Shankar Vedantam

Hidden Brain

43,327 Listeners

Ear Hustle by Ear Hustle & Radiotopia

Ear Hustle

20,479 Listeners

This is Love by Vox Media Podcast Network

This is Love

9,285 Listeners

Throughline by NPR

Throughline

16,080 Listeners

Life Kit by NPR

Life Kit

4,357 Listeners

United We Spay by Stacy LeBaron

United We Spay

7 Listeners

Blink | Jake Haendel's Story by Sony Music, Corinne Vien, Jacob Haendel

Blink | Jake Haendel's Story

6,572 Listeners