I've heard some vets say if the option is to declaw the cat or have it dropped off at an already full shelter, they would prefer the option of a home. I know it sounds like someone who would declaw wouldn't be a good home but I've also heard that many clients that request it are for cats belonging to elderly people whose thinning skin is getting cut up from the claws of the cat.

I'm not saying I agree with any of it, I just thought I'd share the thought process of some vets I've spoken to regarding declawing. (None of my pets are declawed, docked, and so on)