ADOPT A PET

Want to adopt a pet. Visit Chattapets.com to see photographs of animals in need of homes at the Human Educational Society of Chattanooga.

ASK A VET

Q: I don't want to risk damage to my house from clawing, but I really want to rescue a cat. I have a friend who had her cat declawed but I've heard it's bad for the animal.

A: Declawing is actually an amputation of the last joint of your cat's toes. It forces them to walk at an unnatural angle and lose balance. Declawing also removes a cat's natural defenses. These cats should never be allowed outside of the house.

There are alternatives to declawing. A variety of nail caps, such as Soft Paws, can protect expensive furniture. Keeping your cats claws trimmed also helps.

-- Karen Walsh, executive director, McKamey Animal Care and Adoption Center