I bumped into this article yesterday.
Should We Stop Keeping Pets?
Research into animals’ emotional lives has cast doubt on the ethics of petkeeping.
Apparently not a cat owner.
I don't go to the pet store to buy mice for my cat to catch. She can catch any that might venture into the house, as well as a few mice, moles, gophers, and other pests outside.
I didn't choose my cat. She chose me.
Obviously there are different needs with indoor cats, indoor/outdoor cats, and barn cats.
Humans have developed a unique symbiotic relationship with our cats that is part pet, part independent.
Somehow wild cats can learn the ropes to survive, but I doubt my kitten would have survived her first year if she hadn't adopted me.