Well if it's a house cat it is a different story. I live in the country in the middle of France, where there is by no means an overpopulation of cats or dogs. My cat Bandit's not spayed because people WANT kittens around here. Farmers keep tons of cats in their barns to mouse and get rid of other pesks. Many cats die due to cars, and I have experienced many cat's deaths due to this, but this has nothing to do with spaying or neutering cats.

We've had kittens a few times, and since we can't handle having a full liter we kill a few at birth. People call this inhumane; but we are doing this so that we don't have to give up kittens to a shelter where they will die anyhow. It is difficult to find homes for kittens here. In this respect, I see your point well. I disagree with it only because where I live it is not necessary, and I judge it from my environment.

In cities, where cats and dogs are stray scruffy starving animals, I definetly see the neccessity to spay and neuter. Declawing is a different story. When animals can be outside, like here, they can trim their own claws by climbing and clawing trees in example. For house cats I see it as unneccesary in many ways. Cats can be trained not to scratch humans. Cat's claws can be trimmed. Cats can use scratching posts. I think it's just a lazy excuse that people use. Instead of making an effort for their animals, they simply declaw them.