The Lion in the Living Room: How House Cats Tamed Us and Took Over the World

Now I don't want a pet cat anymore. Cats are an interesting species of animal that have seemed to domesticate humans rather than be domesticated by us. Most felines live a fairly solitary life hunting their prey. Humans development has nearly led to the extinction of big cats. Yet, house cats out flourishing.

Cats have adopted humans. Their facial features remind people of young humans. This helps their popularity. They like to hunt small animals, such as rodents. Studies show that their role in controlling rat populations is overrated. However they have done a great job of hunting other species towards extinction. 

Cats had often sailed with ships. From this they intentionally (or unintentionally) colonized many islands.

Cats can bread. Controlling a cat population is very difficulty. Spaying and Neutering works if it is comprehensive. However, fixed cats are less attractive partners. Cats will seek out fertile partners and continue to bread. The breading also makes culling a cat population less effective unless it is complete. The remaining cats will continue to reproduce.

Cat lovers prefer to fix cats and then release them. This leaves the cats to continue to do their damage in the world. Yet people like cats. It is easier to disparage wind turbines for their damage to the bird population than attack cats that cause more damage. 

People have often had cats "adopt" them. Today there are more inside cats and cat breeding programs. Some of these inside cats will likely not survive well in the wild. Yet there are still many cats on the loose.