Are you sure you want to hear it? Sometimes a person can regret asking. I declaw the occassional kitten. I've declawed a few mature cats, but I HATE doing it. If the kitty is more than 7-8 pounds, they are usually MISERABLE for a few days to a few weeks since a declaw is amputation of the third digit of all toes on the front feet. There are many different techniques, some are more brutal than others. (we cringe whenever the boss does one).
On the very rare time I am forced to declaw an older cat...bigger cat, I use PLENTY of pain medication and keep them in the clinic for 48 hours to facilitate healing. I only declaw adults (and have likely only done 1 or 2 in the last 10 years) because my boss puts them on my surgical schedule, and she signs my paycheck. I would quit before I declawed a geriatric!!!!
Options, plenty of varied scratching posts. Those silly corrugated cardboard ones are great fun. Move them around, add catnip.
Cut nails every 2 weeks, keeps them a lot duller.
SOft paws...I have never used them, but have a few clients who do regularly. They are little rubber caps that you super glue to the nail. Some cats allow this. They come in a variety of fun colors.
Spray bottle when kitty scratches the couch.
In my area, few practices will do them, period!!
Sorry, lambasted you. You asked, and golly did I have an opinion!!!
Amy Sue
I sent you a PM.
We should celebrate. Stacie, get the drinks, I'll get the entertainment. 
The thread was numerous pages long, full of differing opinions. I was totally unaware of hot topics and all that back then. 
