This is a common argument for declawing, and I don't blame people who have the misconception; many years ago, I too thought declawing was a necessary evil to help keep cats in homes. As a shelter veterinarian, I now see the opposite is true. Most of our 'Permanent residents' are declawed cats who cannot be placed due to repeated issues with biting, and urinating and defecating outside the litter box. Because we are supposed to "Do no harm" in our profession, I hope to see all veterinarians take a stance against this procedure which only harms cats. Our cat overpopulation issue in the United States is a function of human carelessness and irresponsibility, not one of having too few declawed cats. In fact most of the nations in which this has been illegal for years can boast a much smaller issue with animal homelessness, overpopulation, abandonment and unnecessary euthanasia than America. Let's keep educating and discussing until we can end declawing and become a more humane nation.