Cat Declawing Ban - Humane Solution Or First Step to a Greater Problem?

Recently San Francisco was thinking of imposing a catPETA has stated they just believe it will lead to more
declawing ban due to the fact that many peopleabandoned and euthanized cats.
consider the practice cruel. However the ban isWhatever the outcome may be there is no denying
meeting some resistance from some groups, mostthat declawing is painful for a cat and a ban may be
notably the California Veterinary Medical Associatehumane but it is also never a good idea to take away
and, surprisingly, the San Francisco Society for thesomeone's choice. Both sides make good points and all
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The ban does haveshould be taken into consideration. I've always made
support, namely from PETA and the San Franciscothe choice not to declaw my cats. My point has
Animal Welfare Commission. Both sides have reasonsalways been that if you need to declaw than you
that are rooted in speculation and personal belief.probably shouldn't own a cat but I never thought that it
Objections to the cat declawing ban are for bothshould be a law to declaw. I have 2 cats now and the
professional and humanitarian reasons as you may2 cats I've owned in the past lived long and happy lives
already have guessed. Those objecting to the ban feel(16 and 21 years) and were less aggressive compared
the City Council shouldn't be making the decisions ofmy Grandmother's cats who were declawed, not very
Veterinary Professionals while others believe the banfriendly and the oldest one lived to be 11. Could be a
will lead to more abandoned and euthanized cats.coincidence but a greater understanding of cats is
Those in favor of the ban cite their reasons as animalcrucial for everyone to understand what effect
cruelty and a form of mutilation simply for convenience.declawing has on the cat.