I supposed I should clarify and say, we may regularly declaw cats, but we do give the clients other alternatives to try before resorting to this as an option. This is an absolute last option at our clinic. And I do feel this begs repeating: I would rather a cat be "routinely" declawed but have a home than have it be dumped at the shelter (or worse, dumped outside) because it was clawing at their furniture.

I do feel it is a shame that many owners think that declawing and spaying/neutering go hand-in-hand and do it without giving it a second thought. All you can do is try to educate them. If you can't, then perhaps look at it my way... Will I ever voluntarily have my cats declawed? No. Do I encourage owners to try other alternatives before resorting to declawing? Absolutely!!!