I see everybody here is against declawing. My opinion is that, if it is necessary (for instance, if the cat has behavioural problems and destroys everything for a reason or another, declawing is preferable to shelter.
I would never...never... declaw my cat unless it were somehow a medical reason,
there are other ways to make a cat not damage the furniture... there keeping the claws trimmed, theres sticky tape, water spray bottle, there is no reason to have his/her claws removed. and I think it shouldbe illegal here like in England!