There's no doubt about it, cats make great pets. They're beautiful to look at, loving, and playful. For a cat lover, there can be no better pleasure in life than spending an evening with a cat curled on your lap listening to that content, rhythmical purr. The calming effects of pet-ownership are not just anecdotal - they've been well researched in the last few years and studies have shown that pet owners are generally healthier and happier than non-pet owners.

So why do we love cats so much? Well for one, they provide us with many health-giving benefits, both physical and emotional.

• Cats provide a sense of emotional well-being because of the unconditional love they give us.
• Cat ownership helps people to recover more quickly from emotional trauma, such as bereavement.
• Pet owners generally have lower blood pressure than non-pet owners.
• People recover faster from illnesses and have a higher survival rate after a heart attack if they have a pet.
• Pet owners generally have a more robust immune system, helping them to stave off illnesses and take fewer days off work as a result.
• Pet-owning children also have fewer days off school due to sickness.

Not to mention the fact that cats are great fun! Most remain playful all their lives, even though some like to pretend they are very serious and serene at heart. Full of life, with a little touch of the 'wild' about them, cats are enigmatic, and guaranteed to make any house a home.