I just want to comment on the thought that somehow a child will get scratched because a cat has all its claws. I have 6 declawed cats- all my uneducated choice. I have one clawed cat- my educated choice.

WAY before I got Monte (back in the calm peaceful days), I had many a scratch from many a declawed cat. I never lost an eye (where do people get this crazy stuff from? Statistically speaking, I am sure pencils, cell phone antena, forks, spoons, box tops, etc are far more 'eye poking' that a cat's front claw). If you have cats, you get scratched...if you have dogs, you get scratched. If you drive cars, you get in accidents.

Jonah has had far more bumps and bruises from his rolly-polly ways around the floor than from all the cats put together.

If you have to justify your actions, you might reflect on doing them....