Unfortunately, it is sometimes difficult to adopt out a cat unless the new owner can decide for him/herself whether or not to declaw. Otherwise, the cat stays caged in a rescue until such time as an agreement can be reached. It's very frustrating.
In other conversations with cat folk, when someone talks of wanting to get a kitten and further goes on to say "and I'll get it declawed", what many do is suggest "adopt a cat from the shelter that is already declawed, don't acquire a clawed cat and declaw it."

In my opinion, true cat lovers will accept that cats come with claws and some damage is to be expected, but they'll also know that with some discipline and teaching, cats can claw what they are supposed to and not your furniture.
I feel if a person thinks their furniture is more important than a cats toes/feet/claws, they shouldn't have a cat.

And if it isn't going to be outlawed, then it SHOULD be law, and just plain ethical and moral behavior, that vets be REQUIRED to fully explain the procedure and not just take it for granted that every client coming in who wants a declaw knows what it truly entails. Because many don't know and just may change their mind about it if they knew.