Matt has brought this to us :

I take it then that this is not allowed in the UK ?

If all people thought in this humane and empathic way, the world would be a
better place - especially for animals.  Declawing cats is cruel and
potentially dangerous. A clawless cat is less able to climb to safety or
defend itself if it has no claws.  In the home, a cat can be given a
stropping 'tree' or a length of stout branch to sharpen and clean its claws.
Properly trained with this in place, no cat needs to scratch furniture or
textile furnishings.  My cats are trained in this way and, just like the
gentleman you cited, I clip my cats' nails when they become over long.  I
have no problems with damage within the house.  True to say, my UK cats are
outdoor/indoor cats, which probably makes it easier.  Since many US cats
seem to be indoor only cats, the obvious answer is to build them a play area
indoors - an adventure playground for cats, if you like.

There can be no circumstance - and no person - that could hope to persuade
me that declawing is justifiable.  It is the most wretched abomination.

Spider