Maggie's Farm

Interesting article about the health risks of cats. Chez nous, a cat is what keeps us from being invaded by mice each fall. Given our current moggie is seriously senior, doubt she would be able to catch a mouse, but having here here is an inhibiting factor.
Very much back in the day, was sitting downstairs reading the morning paper when realized our (then young) cat was playing with a toy in an unusually animated fashion. Took a harder look and realized that 1) it wasn't a toy; and, 2) it was still alive. Being a liberated woman, I promptly went upstairs to fetch husband. He came down just as was cat was taking the "toy" downstairs, no doubt with an eye to releasing it in anticipation of another play date. Husband foild this plan by dispatching the rather battered mouse with his slipper.
Cats aren't infallible, but they are a deterrent.