That's a terric post for the NY Times debate Pookie! Would you be willing to post it there?
It's really important to get across the idea that the house and furniture doens't HAVE to be trashed, just because a cat has claws. Saying "my furniture is torn up but I don't care, my cats are more important" which is what many people say, isn't helpful to put across to people who DO care if their furniture is torn up. It's better to see comments like yours, so people can learn and understand that cats ARE trainable.
I got into a discussion with someone the other day who had declawed her cat. My reply:
<edit>
Wait, that's the wrong reply. Darn, I'll have to go look for it.
Oh irt was on the NY Times Debate thread here it is:
You know, the posts that really get to me are the ones who say "they were putting holes in my bedspread" or "He went right up the blinds so we had him declawed. I mean, how can people so calmly state they had their cats' toes cut off because of a bedspread?
Instead of eagerly cutting off the cat's toes, why didn't their vet say "oh no, this isn't necessary at all. Put the bedspread (or blinds) away for a few months and train the kitten or cat when and where to use her claws.
This is done by providing kitty with a variety of scratching surfaces. Cats have a lot of different preferences. Put them in any room kitty spends a lot of time, especially near favorite sleeping spots.
Use the scratchers when you play with kitty. Daily play time exercises kitty's body and mind, which prevents boredom. The more YOU play with your cat, the more she will play on her own--instead of digging holes in the rug. This is what people in the rest of the world do, with their cats.
Once kitty is grown up, and is trained to use and jump and play on her own things, you can put your bedspread back out. " That is what vets should be saying.