I’d say Sarah doesn’t know much about cats or is just lazy.

Cats love toys, but it needs to be engaging. They love their pray to feel alive, to move, to hide. A crumpled up piece of paper on a string tied to a stick works wonders. That means the owner needs to participate, but most don’t. Also cats are crepuscular so for maximum success keep play limited the evening or morning. You might be surprised how much of a hunter your cat actually is.