They were very much sought after as killers of disease-transmitting rats in the 11th Century when the Black Plague struck the European continent. The ancestors of today's American cats probably sailed to New World ports in the 1600's. They later accompanied the pioneers on their journey West and kept the rodent population in the fields down, where the settlers staked their claims. They have retained their keen hunting instincts and self-reliance, make the same purring sounds, and display the same aloofness and the same affection. Present day doctors and psychologists have proven that having a cat is good therapy and actually relieves stress.
Cats make ideal companions for older people who are living alone.
You may have decided to adopt a cat because you want a friend to share your life, to curl up on your lap, and to rub against your ankles when you get home. You may want to raise exotic purebreds, as a hobby or as a moneymaking proposition. Or you may desire an aristocratic show cat that will make you proud when he becomes a champion. No matter what the reason, you have a whole wonderful world awaiting you. That's why sight is one of a cat's strongest sense.