We have three cats, and they're all related. The dad is named Zero and we kept two kittens from his first (and only) litter named Decker and Switch. I would consider Zero a rescue, because if I hadn't taken him he'd have spent his life mostly feral in a barn out in East Texas that was completely overrun with cats.
Cats are marvelous companions - they keep to themselves except when they really need and want something. It would be such an easier life if people were the same! I love your kitties' names - very cool. As a bird person, I can't keep a cat, but I do love them.
My parrots are "free range" - they have the roam of the house. They are trained in that they return to the cage to do their business. I have an African grey, Ramses, and a sun conure, Sunny Bonbon. I think it might be possible to get a kitten and train the kitten to respect the birds, but I would probably always worry and wonder what might happen. I know that others have done this, and believe in the kindness of nature. But I love my parrots so much I don't want to take the chance. My dog, Dante, is a friend to the birds; he likes it when Ramses climbs on his back, he will take him for a walk around the house.
Oh, very nice! I've always wanted to have unusual pets free range (I used to have rats, and had one that I never had to close in his cage, but the others were less well-behaved...) but have never quite gotten there. In my dream home someday, I'd love to have a bird room where they can fly around to their feathered hearts' content.
Birds are easily trained, at least the larger parrots are. Scientists say that African greys have the cognitive abilities of a six year old human child. Ramses can speak over 200 words, much of it in context. He asks for his favorite foods (cherries, piñon, almonds, peanuts, grapes), calls me by name. I love my birds! (Yes, I am "that" weird bird lady, sigh)