In a larger sense, we look to animals for a fuller understanding of and expression of our humanity. The cat that I took in, for example, originally belonged to a neighbor who died suddenly. Caring for his otherwise homeless cat is a way of remembering and respecting our friendship. And, although I am not a cat person, the cat is genuinely sweet tempered and well behaved.
It’s possible the cat figured out you are not a cat person and that it needed to be sweet tempered and well behaved to continue living with a human.
It’s possible you are similar to your neighbor and the cat had already figured out how it needed to behave.