OK, let's take this from one side, one thing at a time....

Let's begin with the fact that cats scratch. Why do they do that?
It comes naturally. It's a cat thing, one could say.


They use that to mark territory (they have scent glands in-between the cushions on their paws)
The act of scratching stretches and pulls and works the muscles of a cat's front quarters - something that they cannot do any more without front claws.
To work off energy.
They use this behaviour to sharpen their claws and to remove the dead outer layer of their claws.
Scratching is not a behavior problem. It is a natural function of a cat, and it is important to the health of their toes and nails.


And no matter what you do, they will scratch. So instead of uselessly trying to stop a cat from doing this, rather redirect it.
There are actually alternatives as ppl in all the countries that have outlawed it already know, stuff like:

Spraying with citrus oils on the surfaces.
Covering surfaces with tinfoil or double-sided tape
Getting scratching posts and every time kitty scratches, putting them on there. Rub it with catnip, they love it.
A tin with a few coins to rattle when they do scratch startles them away from it.
A water-spray also works well.
A loud clap when they do scratch.
Softpaws is like nailcaps. Comes in funky colors too.
Clipping the nails short yourself weekly or every second week.

See, all alternatives cost is time, something a lot of people are not prepared to spend.
They're all cheaper than the surgery.

There's a reason cats have claws.
They have certain places they can only get to groom with nails.
They need them for defence (do not let anyone tell you hind claws is enough defence, Yahoo answers gets so many posts where the person's declawed cat got out and got munched and died....strangely enough the pro-declaw people are very strangely silent then).
They are by nature climbers - and keeping them indoors and not providing them with stuff to climb is a recipe for disaster, they of course will climb curtains.

The surgery.... this comes with risks, and I always ask people if their vet advised them of all these things...

Did the vet mention that the cat requires its claws for balance, to jump, to climb, and that "declawing" your cat then makes your cat susceptible to back problems, arthritis, joint problems and other foot problems that he would not otherwise face – because declawing results in a gradual weakening of the back, shoulder and leg muscles? Did the vet mention that cats walk on their toes, not the pads of their feet, and declawing forces them to walk in an unnatural way? That your cat walks toe first? Declawing cats causes the tendons in the toes to retract, which eventually results in the attendant joints "freezing."

Did the vet mention that many declawed cats resort to biting as an alternative method of defense? That some declawed cats become very aggressive because their primary defense is taken away? That many declawed cats stop using the litterbox because it is so painful?

A pretty steep price to pay for being born with claws, don't you think?

These are medical facts, not just isolated occurances, folks, this all comes from vet journals. These are vets who see what this is and don't just look to make more money. Vets love offering now a package deal, spay and declaw together - I find this appalling. They're just after money.

Unfortunately, people don't bother doing any research into things like this and seek people who support their bad choices.

Did you know that up to 70% of cats turned into shelters are declaws who have behavioural problems?

Did you know there's NO medical benefit to declawing for the cat? It's a purely elective surgery done for lazy owners. Your cat is a companion who looks to you for protection, and people maim them.

People love to say their cat is happy without claws, as if they were a bother.So you think your declawed cat is a h

"The ideal tyranny is that which is ignorantly self-administered by its victims. The most perfect slaves are, therefore, those which blissfully, and unawaredly enslave themselves." Dresden James

World War 1 had just ended on the day that Stubby marched proudly at the head of the 102nd infantry as they passed in review before President Woodrow Wilson. Stubby was an American hero. He was also a brown-and-white American pit bull terrier. Mascot and member of the 102nd, the young dog had served his men and his country in 17 battles in France. He had saved hundreds of lives, and his loyalty and courage had inspired thousands of soldiers. Now he delighted the president with his customary salute, a paw raised ceremoniously to his face. Stubby was destined to become the most decorated war dog in U.S. history. During his18 months Stubby carried messages under fire, stood sentry duty, and helped paramedics find the wounded in "no man's land". He gave early warning of deadly gas attacks and was credited many times with saving his entire regiment. When Stubby found and helped capture a German spy who was mapping a layout of the Allied trenches, he was awarded the honorary rank of Sergeant. When seriously wounded by shrapnel, he was sent to the Red Cross hospital for surgery just like any other soldier. Once recovered, the gutsy pit bull returned to his regiment and continued to serve until November 11, 1918, the day the war ended.

Weela is a contemporary example of the virtues of the American Pit Bull Terrier. Gary Watkins, eleven years old, was absorbed in chasing lizards when Weela, the family Pit Bull, plowed into him with a body slam that sent him sprawling. Gary's mother, Lori, saw the whole incident and remembers being surprised at first, because Weela had always played kindly with children. But her surprise quickly turned to horror when she saw a rattlesnake sink its fangs into Weela's face.
Somehow Weela had sensed the snake's presence from across the yard and rushed to push Gary out of strinking range. Luckily for thirty people, twenty-nine dogs, thirteen horses, and a cat, Weela recovered from the snake's venom to save their lives a few years later. For her heroism, Weela was named Ken-L Ration's Dog Hero of the Year. Strong, gentle, intelligent, and brave, Weela, CGC,TT, is the ultimate American Pit Bull terrier, epitomizing the best that the breed has to offer. But her story also highlights an important yet often mis-understood fact about the breed. The Pit Bull is a dog that loves to please its owner and tries to become whatever kind of dog its owner desires.
Most Pit Bull puppies grow up to become a reflection of both their owners' personality and the care and training they receive.

This loyalty is the hallmark of the breed. Strong and sensitive, outgoing but devoted, easily excited but highly trainable, intelligent and ever alert, the American pit bull terrier has served America and its people long and well. Today we ask you to join us in our efforts to dispel the myths and explore the truth.

A Pit Bull named Bogart saved a four-year-old child from drowning in a swimming pool in Florida. Dixie, the Pit Bull, was inducted into the Georgia Animal Hall of Fame after she saved some children from a Cottonmouth snake.
Petey, the faithful dog on the TV show, The Little Rascals, was a Pit Bull. He spent countless hours with children day after day and never hurt anyone. He was one of the most intelligent Hollywood dogs of all time.

In the wake of another pitbull attack, the Ontario attorney general has begun informal consultations on solutions to the alleged problem of private pitbull ownership, including a province-wide ban.Just in case Ontarian drones have not learnt their lesson yet, the message is clear: government meddling is good for you. If there's a problem, don't worry, we'll just expand the dominion of government to "solve" it.
One thing they didn't highlight all that much in the latest attac

TEN THINGS FEW PEOPLE KNOW ABOUT ME:

I live far away from 'home' although I will never move back there, 5500km away sounds about right to me.

U have a forum that I created with a close friend, and it's a huge success.

I have one tattoo, soon to be two.

I was charged and almost attacked by a male babboon while walking down the road on the snature reserve that I am syndicated into. Whenever we go there I have to carry a whistle, they hate that. We've brought in two leopards to deal with the huge babboon problem.

I am Britneysucks on a well-known forum (google me)

I am a Wicca Master.

I do not posess a car at this time (not enough money)

I want to move to Ireland. That's four years away.

I am not currently married except for common-law.

Only one online friend is close to my age.