Declawing

Declawing is technically called an onychectomy and constitutes an amputation
of the toe at the last joint. This removes the claw and the bone from which
it originates. On a human hand, this would be amputation at the knuckle just
above the nail. See the two diagrams below.

The United States is way behind the rest of the civilized world in its
attitude toward declawing cats. Declawing has been illegal in England for
several years. Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Wales, Finland, and Brazil
are among the many countries that either consider declawing illegal or
inhumane, and only allow it under extreme circumstances. Declawing causes
great psychological effects as well as physical effects. There are
alternatives.