Apparatus for shearing animal claw

Abstract

Apparatuses disclosed herein aid in shearing animal claws. Specifically, the present invention provides a shearing apparatus having at least one curved blade, but preferably two curved blades, allowing cutting of the animal's claw from opposite sides of the animal's claw, and at least one well for placing the animal's claw therein, wherein said two curved blades are disposed at an aperture located at the bottom of the well. The well and aperture combination stops the animal's claw from being sheared too close to nerve endings and the animal's blood supply, preventing or minimizing the incidence of injury and suffering to the animal. Methods of using the apparatus are further disclosed herein.

1 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . An apparatus for shearing an animal claw comprising:
 a first arm and a second arm, the first arm connected to the second arm and movable relative to the second arm;   a first conical well disposed proximate to an end of the first arm, the first conical well including a first aperture disposed at an apex, and a cutting blade disposed along a periphery of the first aperture;   a second conical well disposed proximate to an end of the second arm, the second conical well including a second aperture disposed at an apex and a cutting blade disposed along a periphery of the second aperture; wherein in a first position, the first conical well abuts the second conical well such that the first aperture and the second aperture are aligned; and   a first handgrip extending from said first arm and a second handgrip extending from said second arm, each of the first and second handgrips including a finger aperture.   
     
     
         22 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first arm is pivotally connected to the second arm. 
     
     
         23 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , wherein the first and second arms are pivotally connected at a single location. 
     
     
         24 . The apparatus of  claim 21 , further comprising a stopper disposed on one of the first and second arms and configured to limit the relative position of the first and second arms to a point where the first and second apertures are aligned.