Cats are independent, clean, not smelly, low maintenance, quiet, and absolutely dependent on humans for a quality life. Adopting either a rescued cat or dog makes you feel that you’ve done something good and helped at least one cat find a loving home. But most cats go on to live a long and happy life in their new homes and are grateful in their way for a new life. They sure as hell are happier in the hands of a loving owner than in a cage or shelter or on the street.
We have an 8-year old Persian cat. We got him from a breeder and bought him home at about eight weeks. Buddy is very aloof and self-absorbed and not at all affectionate. The only time comes near us is when it’s time to fill his wet food dish at 1630. He knows when it’s time. Anything else just interferes with his Olympic sleeping.