I have never heard of a landlord requiring that kitties be declawed. I have rented in three different states, always with a cat. I am not saying I don't believe you, just that I have never heard of one doing it.

As for declawing. I will never do it again. Monte (aka bad boy Monte) is 9 months old. He has 'four on the floor'. While there has been an occasion or two where I have screamed, 'Monte! No!', it is rare. In fact, the most damage comes from the guys performing their own version of the Indianapolis 500 on my wood table top, or my bed. Lovely tears in the wood, in the cloth. Oh well, I have cats! Cats do things like that. Just like kids. Kids vomit, they destroy, they colour the walls, etc. Should I chop off their hands?

And, btw, lest someone think I am 'all talk'...I just purchased a LOVELY BRAND NEW sofa for USD1500. And, a complementing chair for USD500. Know what my biggest worry is? That Tex won't like laying on this chair as much as the last one (it is a wood framed one, and won't offer the same level of protectivenss). The sofa? That the back of the sofa won't be as accomodating to creating the divets that serve as comfy beds for the cats.

I have quite easily learned to clip Monte's nails. I only wish I would have known then what I know now. I, too, look on with guilt when I look at the other kitty's front paws.