You know this is actually like very clever design,,
I mean it because cats were quite a treasure for the big boats, since rats were often to sneak in the food storages and would often eat these reserves away or transmit deadly diseases to the sailors, the cats could be the saviours by hunting down the mice and rats.
I even remember a story about a stray cat who found home on a military boat and alongside what I've said, the cat helped with the morale of those aboard.
Anyways.
DELTASWEEPER