Let me first state that I'm please that we can have a heated (but polite!) debate on such a hot issue.

Here are my personal observations about declawing.

Case #1: Missy, a declawed polydactyl, was the most sweet cat you'd ever hope to find.

Case #2: Spliffy was a terrible biter at first. BUT, I don't think it was JUST about the declaw. She had been isolated for 7 years. I retrained her and she no longer bites.

I work in cat rescue as a volunteer. Declawing comes up as an issue. Each foster mom/pop has the option and final say about adoption. When it comes to declawing, some foster parents will sanction it before 6 months. Others, and I count myself among these, prefer not to. I actively ask my prospective adopter if they a. have declawed cats; b. did they do the declaw or did they come that way; c. why? and d. would they declaw this kitten?

I know folks can lie. But, if they otherwise "pass" I feel I can take what they say at face value.

Other volunteers are of the opinion that not allowing to declaw is a barrier to getting cats placed. I beg to differ since declawed ones come in all the time.

Well that was long winded, was it not?