More to 'cats' than meets the eye?

[Cassandra Lee]

No: HPFGUIDX 167754

Q. Is there something more to the cats appearing in the books than first meets the eye? (i.e. Mrs. Figg's cats, Crookshanks, Prof. McGonagall as a cat, etc.)
JKR:  Ooooo, another good question. Let's see what I can tell you without giving anything away....erm....no, can't do it, sorry. (Scholastic Online Chat Transcript, October 6, 2000)
   
   
  I read this in a Scholastic interview with J.K.Rowling. What do you guys think about this? Ever since I came across this I realize how cats have been the prominent animals in the books. I wonder what their importance is going to be? I don't remember anything in the published books so far that would give an answer the to the above question. Have I overlooked something? I'd love to know what you guys think.
   
  Cassandra