“What kind of work does a weak cat do?”/“Light mouse work.”

Many classified ads state “light house work.” In 1950, several classified ads offering kittens stated that they do “light mouse work.”
 
A riddle has been cited in print since at least 1992:
 
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A: Light mouse work.
 
         
12 July 1950, Nashua (IA) Reporter, pg. 4, col. 1 classified ad:
CHARMING KITTEN with exquisite manners desires position as companion in a nice home where good food is served. More for home than wages. Will fancy purring and light mouse work. Phone 4581.
   
17 December 1950, The Tennessean (Nashville, TN), pg. 5-D, col. 4 classified ad:
KITTENS—Mother cat and kittens, want good home in exchange for light mouse work. 5-7353.
 
19 March 1958, Daily Defender (Chicago, IL), “Try and Stop Me” by Bennett Cerf, pg. 11, col. 3:
Mike Connolly is advertising for a cat who’s able to do a little light mouse work.
   
Google Books
102 Cat and Dog Jokes
By Michael Pellowski
Mahwah, NJ: Watermill Press
1992
Pg. 5:
What kind of work does a weak cat do?
Light mouse work.
 
Google Groups: soc.culture.malaysia   
E-mail penpals request!! ......Dear Lily,
BohTeeNang
5/27/98
(...)
Q. What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A. Light mouse work. 
 
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Puns of the Weak: 02/08/02
Stan Kegel
2/8/02
(...)
What kind of work does a weak cat do?
Light mouse work (GR8 Humor)
 
Google Groups: alt.humor.puns
Kids Puns of the Weak 11-23-04
Stan Kegel
11/23/04
(...)
What is the only kind of work a weak cat can do?
Light mouse work (Rita)
 
Twitter
The Dreaming Dragon
@TheDragon__
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A: Light mouse work.
3:43 PM - 25 Sep 2007
   
Google Books
The Awesome Book of Cat Humor
By Bob Phillips
Eugene, OR: Harvest House Press
2009
Pg. 28:
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do?
A: Light mouse work.
 
Twitter
lorraine Jo King
@LahLahBean
#wednesdaywit
Q: What kind of work does a weak cat do? -A: Light mouse work.
10:07 AM - 11 Jul 2018