It sounds as though declawing was the best choice in your situation. I inherited two declawed cats & they had full lives as indoor cats. (One just died at 20 years plus; the other is doing well.)
I won’t declaw any future cats unless necessary. Frayed upholstery is OK but my own bloodstains all over the upholstery won’t do.
However, I’d definitely keep those hypothetical cats indoors. They live longer & healthier lives & don’t pine for the outdoors–although they enjoy looking out the window.
I’m generally anti-declawing, but…you did the right thing. Getting rid of the cat vs. getting rid of the claws - goodbye claws. This is obviously a choice you did not make lightly, so don’t beat yourself up.
I know a cat that is declawed, wears a bell and still routinely leaves it’s owner little birdie “gifts” on her bed. No claws doesn’t necessarily make them unable to hunt it just makes them hunt better
