I never understood the point of a cat as a pet.
I don't like cats or dogs myself, but I can at least understand some of the reasons people have for wanting a dog. A faithful little companion, who is always glad to see you. Well-trained, sometimes. They seem to have they're own personalities, and they're always around when you want them. Plus, they can attack burglars.
A cat just disappears off, skulking around the neighbourhood, and you never see it. Except of course, when it turns up wanting something to eat. Then you feed it, and it disappears again. I may be wrong, but I thought that's what kids were for?
The only reason I can think of for buying a cat is if you hate all your neighbours and want to annoy them. Because while you'll never see the damn thing, your neighbours will be constantly shooing it out of their garden and getting fed up with it harassing their fish/rabbits/garden birds.