It would make sense. I once watched an episode of "Flip this House, " where people by houses in need of repair at reduced costs, fix them up, and sell them for a profit. One guy had mice in the yard, and picked up two cats from the pound. They were sacared to death in their little carriers. He dumped them out, and one wouldn't even come out. He had to shake the cat out. He said something like, I guess this one isnt' going to help any. I wrote the show and needless to say I don't watch anymore. Poor cats in a shelter, hoping for a better life, dumped in a back yard. But yes, I can see where cats could have served a purpose in the wild west.
Kitties In The Old West 
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