There are so many Easter Eggs sprinkled throughout the series involving Felines and Birds. There are so many, that it has to have some sort of significance.
Aside from Cats/Tigers/Lions, there’s also a large showcase of birds sprinkled throughout the series. Hawks, falcons, eagles. Like the owl in Nancy’s room and the Falcon chess pieces in the Rainbow room when El is playing with 001. What could these be forshadowing?