I'm not sure why watchcats do this, but Watchcat Headquarters requires them to check the shoelaces of anyone who enters their sector:
If something strikes the watchcat as suspicious, she'll either use a walkie-talkie or yowl for a backup watchcat to check things out:
Fortunately, in Spring 2011, the backup watchcat, Sammy, convinced the on-duty watchcat, Rosie, that the visitor posed no threat.