How Domestic Cats Spread Around the World: Part 2

As we saw in Part 1 of this article, being a cat appears to have been a great and charmed existence for thousands of years. But the Middle Ages soon saw an end to that. Viewed as agents of the devil by the Church, bad things started to happen to felines.

Bad things happened to our humans too, and other kind souls who befriended us. These poor people were seen as witches, and us cats as their familiars. Which is just ridiculous isn't it? But that was then (though I'm afraid to say, in some parts of the world, this still happens).

Persecution of cats reached its height in the Middle Ages. Does it make you angry? It certainly does me! Just imagine if we still lived in those times? I wouldn't be here talking to you for a start. There would be NO cat blogs, NO cat Internet stars (why am I not one yet?), and NO... well... NO CATS! Mum says she would rather die if there were no cats in the world.

Unfortunately, the women who kept cats as pets, or were associated with cats in any way, met a cruel fate. Just like their cats.They were burned alive. Horrible torture! Don't get upset, Mum. It was a long time ago. Yes, I know, it may have been us back in that time :(

During the 15th Century, while Europeans decided to colonize distant undiscovered lands such as the Americas, cats were taken on board ships as pest control yet again. Many kittens were born on these travels and when the ships reached land, many of these cat families stayed behind or were traded with local communities.

Many cats also found themselves transported to Australia in a similar fashion, but mostly on convict ships from Britain. But the good thing is cats were now almost everywhere, and about time too! Though our popularity was again beginning to soar, apparently it wasn't until the 19th Century that people started to keep cats as pets. Also, in Europe and the United States, imports of exotic-looking cats began to interest many. No longer were cats just vermin control, we were once again admired for the great and godly beings we truly are. Cat clubs were formed, called cat fanciers clubs, and then these people decided to put on shows to show off their good-looking feline "prized possessions". Breeding of pedigree cats soon saw new breeds popping up everywhere, like the ones we see today.

I for one am so glad we beautiful felines are once again being worshipped! Long may it continue!

How Domestic Cats Spread Around The World: Part 1

Want to know how domestic cats spread around the world?

Mum has been researching this subject and has come back to me with these facts:

For two millenia, we domestic cats remained exclusive to Egypt. Yes, that's right. No one else was allowed to "own" us and any export to other lands was banned. You can guess why, though, can't you? We were so worshipped and revered that Egyptians only wanted us for themselves.

photo credit: KaDeWeGirl via photopin cc

But come on, I hear you ask. How can anyone tell a cat what to do and where to go? Well, some cats (mostly wild ones or semi-wild) did in fact get to travel across land and water into other regions.

Also, along came humans with their trade and transport and so we would end up going with them. Either by our own accord (sneaking on board a ship, probably on the hunt for food and prey), or by these traders who saw us as vermin control. And so we did our business and got travelling with these people across the seas and trade routes, finding ourselves in places like Greece, Turkey, and the Middle East, and even across to Europe. Oh yes, we spread our beauty and wisdom far and wide.

Just imagine if all this didn't happen? Can't bear thinking about, because for one thing we would not have been able to meet our devoted humans, who again choose to worship us. Amazing, isn't it?
Perhaps these humans shared lives with us in ancient Egypt?

Anyway, back to facts. It seems that it was 2,500 years ago when seafarers and mariners started
transporting cats. We were smuggled on board and carried away for sale or exchange on commercial ships along the sea routes of Spain, Italy and other Mediterranean islands. After we reached Rome, we were carried even further throughout Western Europe and soon become widespread through Britain (I wonder if I can trace my own family tree back to these cats). All was fine until those horrendous Middle Ages came along. But I shall leave this part until next time.

(to be continued...)