I have a male relative who never married who now has three cats and has always lived at home. He blew up at his mother for not letting the cat(s) out of his room while he went somewhere for a few hours.
She told him his cats were his responsibility and he never told her to do anything.
He is in his late 40s and never married, but last dated about a year ago—just as he started bringing in the extra strays.
He is a cat lady, to me.
Between cats and the dating pool for 40+, the cats are better companionship these days.