Imagine the plagues if cats did not hunt and kill vermin.
Not to mention what would happen to many farmed crops if there were too many birds eating them.

@Petter Natural predators take care of these problems around the world. By introducing domestic cats into the wild, we've created an imbalance.

[nationalgeographic.co.uk]

@pamagain Not where I lived, Kenya. Cats and Africa go hand in hand. They are also endemic to southwest and central Asia, India, China, and Mongolia.
In my teens, my "cat" was actually a wild forest cat, somewhat larger than a domestic cat, which I slowly and gently tamed. It took 6 months before she would sit and let me stroke her, and another 3 months before she would sleep on my bed when she wasn't out prowling.

@Petter Well, that's different, isn't it? The ''burglar'' is clearly a domesticated cat, bred for the pet trade.

@pamagain Not "bred".
As someone remarked when asked how to find a cat replied "You don't find a cat. The cat finds you."
I've never purchased a cat in my life. I have been owned by many!

@Petter We'll agree to disagree on this, Petter. OK?

My cat, many years ago in Kenya, used to leave us "presents" of half dead snakes in the kitchen.

@Petter That is a common practice. My sister-in-law’s cat would bring her live mice.

@KateOahu I know that, but venomous, African snakes are a bit much.

@Petter Oh my, yes they are.

@Petter Lucky cat...never bitten!

@pamagain not lucky, fast. Only 2 animals are faster than a striking cobra. The mongoose and small cats.
The mongoose runs backwards as the cobra strikes, and as the snakes head hits the ground the mongoose runs forwards and bites through, just behind the back of the cobra's head.
The cat springs sideways as the snake strikes, then again pounces to bite just behind the back of the cobra's head.
Your sweet, cuddly, loving "Pussy Domesticus" is also a highly tuned killing machine.
I love watching them hunt, as well as cuddling up with them.