I knew there was a reason why I'm a sucker for cats

[ignoramus]

I used to look after up to 30 cats, Mrs Zebo ran a boarding cattery (not sure if they exist in the US, it's a sort of cat hotel, we look after the beasties while the owners are away)
It paid the bills quite well until the animal wealfare regulations made it impossible. (rules written by someone who had never seen a cat!)

I know of a few catteries in Melbourne. My last Oriental stayed in one for 3 weeks. A very sour puss by the time we picked him up.
The place was nice, he was just just spoilt rotten.

But I do agree, they are disappearing slowly as they are being regulated to death.