I have been a feline exclusive vet and not declawed a cat for over 15 years. I've owned my own feline exclusive practice for over 11 years and we have never declawed a cat at my practice. The cat only practice I worked at before mine also never declawed a cat. Both practices thrive with success not only discouraging declawing but educating owners why there is no need to ever declaw. Shelters, animal controls and rescue groups have MANY declawed cats. So how does declawing keep cats in their home?!  As another feline advocate colleague said, "if you have to change a species THAT much to be able to live with it, find another species!". We'd rather re-home a cat than have it get declawed.