Trade in?

I went to the store yesterday to buy mouse traps to catch the little rodents that Stupid Cat can't manage to get his paws on. It shouldn't be a surprise that he can't catch a mouse. Whenever a bug gets in, he sits starring at it for what seems like hours before he makes a move. While someone willing to give this animal the benefit of the doubt may assume that he's just letting the bug wear itself down, by the time Stupid Cat pounces on it, he's so worn out from watching it, he'll merely bat it then let it go. After he releases it he usually forgets about it or repeats the same cycle.

The stunning thing about his entire lack of prowess is that he's an outdoor cat. When my roommate adopted him, she was told that he was used to being outdoors, so one might assume he is a decent hunter. But not once has he brought home any presents, or really caught anything. (Not that I want dead animals laying around, but it would indicate an inclination towards productiveness and a willingness to do his part.)

As I was browsing the mouse trap options, I noticed that many of the products make some sort of reference to cats in the product description or the name. I struck up a conversation with a woman who was also taking care of a mouse situation at her apartment. She told me which product she was trying and how she planned on using it. I mentioned that I was nervous to have something out in the open that may harm the cat. (The last thing horrible cat needs is a mouse trap clamped to his tail or to be covered in sticky traps. That long fur of his would be impossible to untangle, and my roommate might doubt my innocence should something bad happen to horrible cat.)

The woman looked at me and said, "You have a cat and you still have mice?"

I laughed, and answered, "Yes, the cat belongs to my roommate, but unfortunately he can't seem to catch mice."

She looked at me and said, "I think that means you need a new cat."