Lupe is one of the lucky big cats to escape a circus with her claws intact and you can see how much she enjoys using them on this fallen branch at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.

Anyone who has seen a cat (wild or domestic) flex their claws and scratch a post or a tree will see how important it is to these animals. Declawing is a horrific mutilation performed in circuses to remove the important defensive weapons from the animals and, tragically, by some domestic cat owners to protect their furniture. Declawing doesn’t mean simply cutting off a claw, it’s an amputation to the first joint – ADI supporters will remember dear Cholita the bear with fingers left as stumps. The mutilation damages the entire structure of the foot and can leave cats in severe pain later life. NEVER DECLAW.

While Lupe kept her claws, life in a circus in Guatemala sadly still haunts her. She suffers seizures due to malnutrition and inbreeding in the circus and requires daily medication and Dr Caldwell continues to monitor her.

Help us care for circus survivors like Lupe.

To adopt Lupe and help support her ongoing care: UK store | US store