Cats as ratters or even micers is not something I've really known. Sure they may bring you the odd present doing no harm in the field in but I don't see (at least well fed pet cats) them as being that effective pest controllers.

In the home their first love is often cupboard love and their own comfort usually comes first

I like them though and think many of us humans want a relationship with some other type of creature. While not for all, cats can fulfil that sort of role.

In current situation, we have the challenge - an older feral tom who on a good day I can get within a foot of (with loads of hisses) but I can't/would not try to touch and he is unlikely to move further from that stance and our getting old a bit indoor pair (actually both originally at different times feral kittens but young when they took to us).