Originally posted by PayItForward
I hope you don't mind my reply

But that if where I get confused it is never a decision between home & shelter...it is a decision between:-

:Soft paws and keep
:Train to a post and keep
:Trim claws and keep
:Give to shelter
eclaw have no problems and keep
eclaw have problems give to shelter

Arranged in order of MY perference
I so agree with you PIF! I talked to my mother about soft paws and nail trimming and scratching post training but to no avail. I have come to the conclusion (just my observation) that sometimes declawing is done out of pure laziness. There are people who will declaw knowing all the dangers just because it is simpler for them. Everybody wants a carefree pet and cats fall into thay catagory because they use the litter box, you can leave them for several days, and if they can't scratch anything then they will be perfect! I really believe a lot of people feel this way. It is very very sad but the majority of people who do love their pets are not as attached to them as we PTers are. They love them and care for them and meet their needs but they are still an animal in the minds of owners. It makes me sick and I can't understand that way of thinking but it is true.
I really think that a whole lot of it boils down to our over-worked and over-stressed lifestyles. People don't feel like they have time enough at home to do all the necessary training. If they are declawed then they can just come home, snuggle the cute kitty and go on with life. You and I know that some behaviorial issues can come about because of it but some people just don't care. They will deal with that if it happens and if it's bad enough they will just get another cat and get rid of the declawed one. All of these terrible things I'm saying are unfortunately the way many many people are.
Again, am I making sense? I have so much trouble expressing myself. I always feel like I can't find the right words.