I think these do have their uses, especially in America. I would rather someone use these on their cat after all other methods have failed, than declaw their cat. From what i have read, they aren't something you have on them all the time, they are a short term thing. I can also see them being useful for when cats have health issues - I can think of 2 cats on here at the moment who might have benefited - if these were put on their paws, they couldn't do too much damage if they scratched themselves, and might be a lot easier on a cat than a collar. But, in America, they do seem to be used too much, and to stop people having to train their cats.