scavengers

Scientists are confirming what we all knew already - cats basically made the choice to hang around humans because our grain stores attracted mice, which attracted cats. The rest of it was just refining the principal that cats hang with us because it's a sweet deal for them.

Reminds me of a science fiction story I read probably 20 years ago, can't remember the title or the author. It was set in a future where environmental degradation had grown so bad that all the animals, domesticated and wild, had turned on humans. Except dogs, which were especially hated by the other animals. A grim little tale.