Why are some people vehemently opposed to declawing?
Dr. Serpell: Usually this is due to a combination of reasons: 1) because the end (owner convenience) doesn’t justify the means (causing unnecessary pain to the cat); 2) because other, less harmful alternatives to declawing exist [Editor’s note: See CatWatch, April 1998, for article on Soft Paws ]; and 3) because claws are part of the nature or “catness” of cats. Overall, the view is that it is ethically inappropriate to remove parts of an animal’s anatomy, thereby causing the animal pain, merely to fit the owner’s lifestyle, aesthetics, or convenience. I would also emphasize that “some people” includes virtually the entire adult population of Europe. Dr. Houpt: It is a painful mutilation; the toes are amputated. Afterwards, the cats should be kept indoors, which some people believe is cruel.
