Originally posted by Chainsaw Kitten
Well if you think about it, on the issue of spaying and neutering, one of the basic reasons we exist is to reproduce. Take away one of our main reasons for being and I think you have a bit of a moral dilemma.
there's more to consider than just "reason for existence". reproduction may be a by-product (usually) of existence, but there is no way you can reasonably claim it is "reason" for existence. regardless, humans have created a situation for dogs and cats in which without neutering/spaying, there is an even greater number of kittens/puppies doomed to suffer and/or die prematurely. i don't like the idea of neutering/spaying, because i think i would be pretty bummed put in the same situation, but i think the alternative is much worse. already there are waaaaaaaay too many dogs and cats "living" in shelters either wasting away or waiting to be shipped off to the dog food factory.

declawing on the other hand is probably the single most inhumane thing humans do to cats. the claws are integral to the cat's physical existence (i've read that without claws they are unable to properly stretch their spines due to not being able to get a grip on whatever surface they are standing on) and it's psychological existence (imagine being almost totally impotent in a world where everything that moves is a potential enemy/prey/toy).