This device was released around 1963 and, besides making frequent meowing sounds, it had a cat head replica on top with eyes that light up! 

Now, why someone didn't get a *real* kitten to keep them company purring at their feet, I don't understand..

Maybe, of course, the person was too sentimental and didn't want the mice to *actually* be in danger from the cat, just looking for a way to scare them off, who knows!