My mother had both of her cats declawed after I gave tons of lectures against it. She was left with a choice by her (at that time) soon to be husband. The cats get declawed or they don't get married. Now I know what I would have said but mom did it anyway. She was very sad the first few days while she watched them in so much pain. I did the I told you so's but it was too late. Both of her cats are doing very well and mom and her new hubby are very happy that they had it done. I now know that no matter what I say mom will always declaw her cats (if there are any more ever in her future). I'm very torn about this as I know that had she not done it the cats would have been turned into the shelter. I go to her house and see two very happy, lovable, and playful kitties that are the best of friends. I can't help but wonder if it's the lesser of two really bad evils. I don't know if these two would be alive today if they had been turned into the shelter.
I have never had a cat declawed and I never will. The shelter where I volunteer makes you agree to never declaw before they will let you adopt.
When I think about moms cuties, Andy and Barney, it makes me think that if that is the only option besides shelter life then maybe it's worth it. I will always preach against it and I will continue to educate but if it was that versus caged in a shelter I don't know how hard I would push against it. I do think it is very cruel and unnecessary but so is living in a tiny cage picking up all kinds of illness's and praying that maybe someone will like you and take you home. Some of these cats spend years in a shelter and that is beyond cruel to me. Some never make it out. If it was that versus declaw I would choose declaw. If I had the option to spend my time in a tiny cell, sick and old knowing that I may never get out unless I had my fingers removed from the knuckle I think I would go with having my fingers removed. I think it would be worth it just to have freedom, fresh air, and hopefully people who would love me even if they were ignorant and thought I need my fingers cut off.
Am I making sense? Please do not think I'm pro declaw because I am not. I'm a shelter volunteer who sees tons of suffering and it just makes me wonder which really is the lesser.