Katherine,for some people,like me,I would not ever consider declawing a cat,no matter what the circumstances,you get a cat,scratches will happen,that's it..
What about dogs,chewing on furniture,scratching the wood-floor,why are dogs not declawed,why not pull their teeth so they cannot chew?
We humans do things to animals for our own convenience,not with the animals welfare in mind,any mutilation should be out-lawed as it is in most civilized countries. Getting off my soap-box