Indeedy, cats go where they want. When I'm around they stay off the counter but at night she's wherever.

Which is why my cutting surface is not the countertop, it's a cutting board that's kept inside a cabinet she can't physically get to. Also if I do have to use straight counter, I wash it down! I mean, I still wipe it down even when using a cutting board, in case. It's just extra washed.

I love cats for their soft fur and little meows.