Watch The Paw Project

The Paw Project is a heartwarming and thought-provoking documentary from 2013 that focuses on the practice of declawing cats in the United States. This inhumane practice, which involves the surgical removal of a cat's claws, is often seen as a quick fix for unwanted scratching behavior. However, the film argues that declawing is not only unnecessary but also cruel and damaging to the cat's physical and psychological well-being.

The documentary is centered around the efforts of veterinarian Dr. Jennifer Conrad to ban declawing in her home state of California. She founded The Paw Project, a non-profit organization dedicated to educating the public about the dangers of declawing and advocating for laws to ban the practice. With the help of cameras and interviews with cat owners, other veterinarians, and animal welfare advocates, the documentary exposes the disturbing realities of declawing and the harm it causes to feline health and behavior.

The Paw Project begins by explaining that declawing is not a simple operation, as many people may believe. Rather, it involves the amputation of the last bone in each toe of a cat's paw, a painful and invasive procedure that can lead to long-term complications. Dr. Conrad describes the delicate structure of a cat's paw, which is designed for balance and agility, and explains how declawing can cause chronic pain, nerve damage, and altered gait.

The documentary also explores the psychological impact of declawing on cats, as they are robbed of their natural instincts to scratch and climb. Without these outlets, cats may become anxious, aggressive, or depressed, leading to behavioral problems and sometimes even abandonment or euthanasia. The film presents several heartrending stories of cats who have suffered from declawing, including one who lost his ability to walk and another who became so hostile that she had to be put down.

As Dr. Conrad travels around California to raise awareness about declawing, she encounters resistance from some veterinarians who defend the practice as a necessary evil. The film provides a balanced view of this controversial issue, showing both sides of the debate and allowing viewers to draw their own conclusions. However, it is clear that The Paw Project believes that declawing is an outdated and cruel practice that should be banned altogether.

Throughout the film, The Paw Project emphasizes the importance of education and understanding when it comes to feline behavior and health. By encouraging cat owners to provide scratching posts and other appropriate outlets for their cats' natural instincts, and by promoting the use of humane alternatives to declawing, such as behavior modification and nail trimming, the documentary aims to create a more comionate and informed society.

Overall, The Paw Project is a powerful and moving tribute to the beauty and resilience of cats, and a call to action for anyone who cares about animal welfare. By exposing the truth about declawing and advocating for change, the film offers hope for a future where all cats can live happy, healthy lives.

The Paw Project is a 2013 documentary with a runtime of 58 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 8.2.